Update on Olympic Hero Joey Cheek

I recently reported on the success of US Olympic Speedskater Joey Cheek, both on and off the ice. In short, Cheek won the 500 Meter Speedskating event and donated his entire $25,000 check from the U.S. Olympic Committee to Right to Play, a humanitarian organization that uses sport and play as a tool for the development of children and youth in the most disadvantaged areas of the world.


On Saturday, Cheek competed in the 1000 meter event. The gold medalist was American Shani Davis, who had refused to participate in the Team Pursuit event Wednesday. "I'm not a team player," said Davis on Saturday, according to a New York Times article.

Joey Cheek won the silver medal in the 1000 meter race, adding to his gold medal in the 500 meter event. He will also be donating the $15,000 silver medal check to Right to Play. This news is even more exciting in that others, including clothing retailer Gap Inc., are donating as well, according to an Associated Press article, increasing the impact of Cheek's donation.

"I think we've had eight or nine companies or individuals match my original $25,000, and it looks like we're over a quarter of a million dollars donated -- and more keeps coming in," he said. "I'm more proud of that than winning the medals."

Joey Cheek is my hero of the 2006 Winter Olympics.