Nikki Dryden on her experience in Beijing

Beijing-My time here in Beijing has flown by; I cannot believe that I leave tomorrow. Just two weeks ago, I wondered if I would even make it on the plane. Now I am already in reflective mode.

My role here in Beijing has been to cover swimming for a Canadian swimming magazine, and as writer I received media accreditation through the Canadian Olympic Committee. However, two days before my flight, I got the call that Joey Cheek's visa had been withdrawn. I thought I would be next, especially after Kendra Zanotto, who was supposed to be in Beijing to work as a synchronized swimming reporter had had her visa denied as well. Fortunately, I was admitted, and I have been able to witness perhaps the greatest swimming competition in history and had the opportunity to once again celebrate the Olympic Games.

Team Darfur swimmers were incredible, performing well in what was the fastest Olympics ever. I was very proud of them, not just for their swimming prowess, but for their decision to join and support Team Darfur. In my heart, they are the true heroes of these Games. At fifteen, Elizabeth Beisel is wise beyond her years and she truly is a role model whom people of any age can admire. Fred Bousquet won silver in the relay and Indian's first Olympic gold medalist, Abhinav Bindra is amazing. Of course seeing Lopez Lomong carrying the flag at Opening Ceremonies was a fitting tribute to an incredible man.

There has been little discussion of Darfur here, let alone upholding Olympian values outside of the playing field. There is a wonderful campaign called "The Best of Us" put forward by the International Olympic Committee. While I truly believe that the Olympic Games can bring out the best of us, I know that as a collective Olympic community we have not come even close to doing our best to help the people of Darfur.

One exception came last night, when I attended a Right To Play event to raise money and awareness for their programming. A beautiful video was shown to introduce everyone to RTP's work, but I had mixed emotions when I saw that the video highlighted Joey. He is the ultimate Olympian, who upholds the values of the Olympics everyday of his life. He gave his prize money from 2006 to RTP in support of children in Sudan's right to play. Even though he could not be here to see first hand how his generosity from Torino has turned into a program that will bring hundreds of thousands of dollars to children around the world, he was here in spirit.

Taking Joey's lead, this year Johnson & Johnson is donating money on behalf of every RTP athlete ambassador who wins a medal here in Beijing. Swimmer Natalie Coughlin's medal haul earned them $80,000. I find it tragic that Joey cannot be here to see how his actions have grown into a real movement.

Hopefully by 2012, the movement to end genocide in Darfur will also be as strong, and as popular. While everyone was willing to talk about children playing, it is sad that we are unable to discuss how these children cannot even think of playing in the midst of the humanitarian crisis that strangles Darfur. We are making baby steps, but I dream of the day when we unleash our collective power and the balance tips in favour of those who truly do uphold the Olympic spirit every single day of their lives.