The United States' delegation to the upcoming Winter Olympics in Russia won't include a member of President Barack Obama's family or a cabinet secretary, but it will include openly gay athletes -- a clear jab at Russia's recent anti-gay laws.
Tennis legend Billie Jean King will join former Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and figure skater Brian Boitano at the games' opening ceremonies on February 7, the White House said Tuesday. White House aide Rob Nabors and the U.S. ambassador to Russia will round out the delegation to Sochi.
King was one of the first professional athletes to come out as gay in the 1980s.
Two weeks later, a group led by Deputy Secretary of State William Burns will attend the closing ceremony. Speed skaters Bonnie Blair and Eric Heiden, as well as openly gay hockey player Caitlin Cahow, will also attend.It's the first time in more than a decade the President, Vice President, First Lady or former president hasn't attended an Olympic opening or closing ceremony. First Lady Michelle Obama led the delegation to 2012's Summer Olympics in London, and President George W. Bush made the trek to China for Beijing's games in 2008.
Vice President Joe Biden and his wife led a U.S. group to the last Winter Games, held in Vancouver.
The absence of high-ranking U.S. officials amounts to a snub to Russia, whose relationship with the United States has fractured over the past year. Admitted NSA leaker Edward Snowden, wanted on espionage charges in the U.S., was granted temporary asylum in Moscow, and Russian President Vladimir Putin has used Russia's veto on the United Nations Security Council to block action in Syria.
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