Ben Olsen Joins The Fight Against Land Mines

By Les Moore

(June 27, 2009/ Washington) In the run-up to DC United's trip to El Salvador, Ben Olsen has joined the anti-landmine activist group International Campaign to Ban Landmines.

Olsen said, "Around the world, 70 million unexploded landmines continue to pose a health threat to innocent men, women, children. The problem is particularly bad in El Salvador, where political violence ravaged the country for decades. Whatever I can do too raise awareness of this human crisis, I'll do it. And this topic is particularly salient since we have a game at Chaletenengo coming up in August, so there is urgency. Real urgency."

"It was not uncommon for the army to mine open spaces, like soccer fields. This is a basic depravation of human rights and the problem exists for decades after the war itself ends. DC United already has a busy schedule in the late summer and fall and injuries could really derail our season."

"This is a worldwide problem and needs a worldwide solution. But let's start with El Salvador. Like, yesterday."

"This is a problem that parents around the world have to live with. Imagine if Dawson stepped on a landmine on the way out of a Dick's Sporting Goods outlet. On the bright side, at least I could catch that little shit, for once."