Kendra Zanotto is a big believer in the power of the Olympics. But the 2004 bronze medalist has been shaken after the Chinese government denied her application for a visa to travel to Beijing for the Summer Games.
The Los Gatos native and St. Francis High graduate was set to work as an expert synchronized swimming reporter for the Olympic News Service, an official arm of the Beijing Games. But she says her visa application was refused Monday because of her affiliation with Team Darfur, an athlete-driven group that seeks to call attention to the crisis in western Sudan.
"It's hard to explain that I'm blacklisted - I'm such an Olympic advocate," Zanotto said just after learning her application had been rejected by the
consulate in San Francisco.
Zanotto, in fact, said she joined the group - started by the gold medalist speedskater Joey Cheek - precisely because it argued against a boycott of the Games. According to the group's Web site, "Team Darfur calls for a celebration of the Olympic spirit, not a boycott."
The consulate didn't tell her why her application was denied. But the firm that handled her hiring told Zanotto the government was uncomfortable with the affiliation to Team Darfur.
-- K now I know Kendra personally, she was not only a club teammate ( didnt swim with her on the team, just known her for like 10 years, shes older than me) but she is now also the Athlete President in Synchronized Swimming.
Shes trying to do big things in synchro and help out in other sports. It sucks that she is denied the chance to be part of the games to take part in reporting from behind the scenes of her own sport.
Original Story:
http://blogs.mercurynews.com/olympics/20....
The Los Gatos native and St. Francis High graduate was set to work as an expert synchronized swimming reporter for the Olympic News Service, an official arm of the Beijing Games. But she says her visa application was refused Monday because of her affiliation with Team Darfur, an athlete-driven group that seeks to call attention to the crisis in western Sudan.
"It's hard to explain that I'm blacklisted - I'm such an Olympic advocate," Zanotto said just after learning her application had been rejected by the
consulate in San Francisco.
Zanotto, in fact, said she joined the group - started by the gold medalist speedskater Joey Cheek - precisely because it argued against a boycott of the Games. According to the group's Web site, "Team Darfur calls for a celebration of the Olympic spirit, not a boycott."
The consulate didn't tell her why her application was denied. But the firm that handled her hiring told Zanotto the government was uncomfortable with the affiliation to Team Darfur.
-- K now I know Kendra personally, she was not only a club teammate ( didnt swim with her on the team, just known her for like 10 years, shes older than me) but she is now also the Athlete President in Synchronized Swimming.
Shes trying to do big things in synchro and help out in other sports. It sucks that she is denied the chance to be part of the games to take part in reporting from behind the scenes of her own sport.
Original Story:
http://blogs.mercurynews.com/olympics/20....
