Story: Olympian Hopes to Draw Attention to Darfur Crisis, 03/20/06
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/features/jan-june06/cheek_3-20.html

Reading Comprehension Questions:

1. Who is Joey Cheek and why is he in the news right now if the Olympics are over?

2. What is Right to Play?

3. Where is Darfur and what is going on there?

4. What cause is Cheek promoting? What is his goal?

5. Why did Cheek get involved in the Darfur issue?

6. Was Cheek always interested in global issues?

Discussion Activity (more research might be needed):

1. Joey Cheek has gotten involved with an organization that is calling for more U.S. intervention in the Darfur crisis. Research the situation in Darfur. Summarize what is happening there and what U.S. involvement is now. What further involvement do you think the U.S. should take in the region? Explain your answer.

2. What impact do you think elite athletes and other famous people can have on global issues? Is this a good thing? Why or why not?

3. What global issues do you think are important? How would you get other people, including your classmates, interested in learning about them? What can you do to make positive changes?

Write a 300-500 word essay on any of these topics providing clear examples. Send your completed editorial to NewsHour Extra (extra@newshour.org). Exceptional essays might be published on our Web site.