Cyclist Rides for Rights Ahead of Games

The Dalai Lama speaking in Ottawa in October. Former Team Canada member David Kay, who is cycling across Canada to raise awareness of China's human rights abuses before the Beijing Olympics, says he was inspired by the Dalai Lama's message of compassion a Samira Bouau/The Epoch Times

A former Team Canada member and Pan American medalist will cycle across Canada to encourage Canadians to reflect on the true meaning of the Olympic spirit.

Kingston’s David Kay also wants to call attention to China’s responsibility to improve human rights as the host of the Beijing Olympics, set to start in a few weeks.

Launched by the Canada Tibet Committee (CTC), this “Race for Rights” is a 42-day, 7,700 km cross-Canada effort to raise awareness of China’s human rights record. Kay will begin his journey on Sunday morning in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador.

“China made a commitment to improve its human rights record and it’s highly questionable whether they’ve fulfilled that commitment,” said Kay in a news release.

“Race for Rights is meant to be as much a celebration as it is a demonstration. I’m hoping the attention my bike ride brings provides one more reason for China to uphold the commitment it made, commitments that contributed to its being awarded the Olympics in the first place.”

Each provincial leg of Kay’s journey will be dedicated to a Chinese human rights activist or victim of the recent Tibet uprising.

In Newfoundland and Labrador, he will be riding in the memory of an unidentified Tibetan girl reportedly shot dead by China’s People’s Armed Police in Lhasa on or around May 20 (source Tibet Custom, UK).

In addition, for each 50km cumulatively pledged to Race for Rights, the CTC will name a metre of the Trans Canada Trail in honour of a victim of the Tibet uprising or a Chinese human rights advocate. Supporters can donate to Race for Rights or join Kay for a leg of the trip, which can be tracked online at www.tibet.ca/raceforrights. An avid cyclist and accomplished rower with a strong record in championing social and environmental justice, in 2000 Kay made a round-trip cycle tour from Canada to Guatemala. He is an Athlete Ambassador for Right to Play.

It was after hearing the Dalai Lama speak at a public talk in Ottawa hosted by former former Olympic Gold Medalist Mark Tewkesbury that Kay decided to take on the cross-country ride.

According to the Race for Rights website, he was motivated by the Dalai Lama’s message of compassion and non-violent struggle and wanted to deliver this message to Canadians through the simple act of cycling.