Joey Cheek

William Joseph ( " Joey " ) Cheek ( born June 22, 1979 in Greensboro, North Carolina) is an American speed skater.

At the Olympic Winter Games in Turin in 2006 he won the gold medal in the 500 meters and the silver medal in the 1000 meters. Four years earlier, he was able to win bronze over 1000 meters at the Winter Games in their own country.

Joey Cheek moved at the age of 15 years as a successful inline skaters on the ice and took part in 3x Junior World Championships (1996/1997 /1998). From 1999 until his successful completion of his career in 2006 he lived not far from Salt Lake City, where he trained with the American team in Park City.

Cheek received recognition by his benevolent behavior after winning the gold medal in Turin, when he donated his prize money to the Olympics the Johan Olav Koss - foundation " Right To Play". As a result, it did the same a number of athletes, so that the $ 300,000 in donations gathered by them.

Because of its commitment to Tibet Joey Cheek has not received entry permit for China at the 2008 Olympics.