The following messages are among the over 30,000 written to Team Darfur athletes competing in the Olympics in Beijing expressing their support and gratitude they have done in helping raise awareness for the situation in Darfur
Let me just say how proud I am of all of you.
Your strength, determination, and commitment inspire us all back
home. You bring hope to millions across the globe that continue
to strive for peace and harmony among the nations.
I can only say so much in a letter but please carry my words
with you. I am so grateful for all of you. Not only do you bring
hope, but you also lend a voice to the millions who cannot be
heard. To fellow athletes, you perform your very best on the
field or track, but to everyone else you perform your best in
spirit. Carry that spirit for the people of Darfur.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read this. Know that
everyone here is cheering you on! Be safe and know that you are
loved!
Laura (Alpharetta, GA)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
More than any other athletes at this competition, you have
chosen to carry yourselves with dignity, honor, and respect. You recognize that the Olympics are truly bigger than just the sport which you play.
You are a credit to both yourselves and your country.
David (Canton, MI)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
I have just watched the opening ceremony of the Olympics on TV -
what an amazing spectacle! But I couldn't help thinking of all
the underlying conflicts and humanitarian injustices that are
being masked over. Therefore it is great to hear that you will
be lending your voice to one of the most urgent humanitarian
causes of our time. I admire your courage in speaking out on
behalf of the innocent people of Darfur, especially whilst in
China. I will be praying for you as you participate in the Olympics and
also as you endeavor to speak out for those who have no voice
or are imprisoned by their situation over which they have no
control, such as the people in Darfur. You have the ability to
engage and educate people on global issues of vital importance.
With your continued leadership, we can finally bring peace to
Darfur.
Marjorie
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
You are a source of inspiration to me. My hope and prayer is that this cause will receive some international attention. This is only possible because of the important work you are doing!
Alisha (Pittsburg, PA))
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
You have worked tirelessly for years, possibly even a lifetime,
to achieve your status as a world-class athlete. I just wanted to thank you for also using your immense level of dedication in your work toward the humanitarian issue of the Darfur conflict. Many professional athletes here in the US are reluctant to take a political stance that may make them isolated or unpopular. In fact, those in the public eye have a responsibility to raise awareness of the injustices in the world. Where so many athletes pursue money above all else, you
have indicated by your participation in Team Darfur that there is more to athleticism than winning the game and the big
contract. You are the true role models for the youth of the
world. Thank you for lending your voice to one of the most urgent
humanitarian causes of our time. It takes genuine courage to
speak out on behalf of the innocent people of Darfur, especially
while in China. Please continue to be an active voice for the
people of Darfur, even in the face of Chinese censorship.
Elisa (Chicago, IL)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
I think it is absolutely amazing how you have managed to turn 
such a horrible situation into a great situation. I am only
starting to learn about Darfur. Like most Americans, I have
heard the name and seen pictures on the news. I am currently
reading, Not On Our Watch, and I am seeing that if enough of us
band together, it will help. I was apathetic to what was going
on in the world. Your story inspires me, I am a nursing student
and when I graduate, I hope to go to Africa to do medical
missions. Thank you for your dedication and courageous spirits,
you are truly beautiful people.
Claire (Carmel, IN)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
I am humbled by your courage to use your status as Olympic
athletes to address one of the most urgent humanitarian causes
of our time. I pray China will "Hear" your call for Peace in
Darfur. Best of luck in your athletic endeavors, and thank you for all you are doing with your human rights activism. You are true heroes!
Wendy (Milton, WI)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
I've been an Olympic groupie fore some thirty years and applaud you for your talent, skills, dedication and accomplishments. I hope the games are a wonderful event for you. Thank you for also having a social conscious and for caring about Darfur.
Courtney (Columbia, MD)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I would just like to say thank you so much for standing up for
what is right in the world. Few people have the power and voice to do so, and it is nothing short of inspiring that people such
as yourself are gathering the courage to lead this world, person by person, nation by nation, toward peace. Change requires strength and sacrifice from anyone determined enough to impact the world and expose crimes against humanity, even on the smallest level. But what you are doing, what you are organizing, is going above and beyond our hopes and turning them into realizations: the people of Darfur are being heard, and represented, by those who can speak and draw attention
Jenna (Berkeley, CA)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Each of you are AMAZING! Darfur is a topic that so many find it easy to ignore. I believe part of the reason is the challenge we all face with handling the emotions attached to the traumatic stories we hear. The stories are unbelievable, keeping those stories in the public eye will force people to take action to end this madness. Each one of you has the courage so many of us wish we had. I
salute you and praise you for your courage to take a stand. Good Luck at the games! Enjoy your time and please remember you have so many fans behind you cheering.
Regina (Plainville, CT)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
You guys rock. I hope when in Beijing you enjoy the competition,
but in my heart and mind, you are already Gold Medal Olympians
for all you do. People are watching and cheering you on, even those of us you
have never heard of, and may never meet.
Peace and prosperity to Darfur in OUR time. With any luck,
getting a BIG boost in November in the USA!!!
Sarah (Hickory, NC)
