Hayley Peirsol was a long-distance swimmer for Auburn University. She is currently training for the Beijing Olympics with Club Wolverine at the University of Michigan.
Here is what Hayley had to say about Team Darfur:
"Basically, the reason why I want to be apart of something like this is because as I grow older I realize that one voice can make a difference, even if it effects only a handful of people. I also realize how privileged I am to have everything that I could ever possibly need and want at my fingertips on a daily basis and that the people in Darfur are struggling with the things that I tend to take advantage of. I can't help but think of the young girls in Darfur, that are my age, that don't get the opportunities or the resources that I have. The college education, the life of an athlete, the simple act of being able to go shopping or out with friends are things that they may never experience. They are no different than me, we are both young girls with bright futures, with so much to offer and yet they may never get that opportunity to do so because of the terrible genocide that is taking place right now, as i write this."
