President Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama and Vice President Joe Biden have all declined to attend the opening ceremony of the 2014 Winter Olympics, marking the first time since 2000 that the prez, First Lady, VP or a former prez won’t be involved.
The White House said Obama’s schedule will not permit him to attend the Games.
In his place, he is sending a delegation led by openly lesbian tennis champion Billie Jean King.
Via Queerty:
Among other world leaders not attending the Olympics this year are French President Francoise Hollande and German President Joachim Gauck.
In a statement, the White House claims Obama doesn’t have the time to travel to Sochi, but that the delegation ”represents the diversity that is the United States.” (Bolding is mine)
Openly gay two-time Olympic medalist in ice hockey Caitlin Cahow will also be a part of the delegation, as will former Olympic figure skater Brian Boitano.
USA Today is calling this “the most significant delegation the United States has ever sent to an Olympic Games.”
“It’s a positive sign to see openly gay representatives in the delegation,” said Michael Cole-Schwartz, spokesman for the Human Rights Campaign,
The delegation will also include former Homeland Security secretary and current University of California President Janet Napolitano; U.S. Ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul; White House Deputy Chief of Staff Rob Nabors; Deputy Secretary of State William Burns; and speed skating Olympic medalists Bonnie Blair and Eric Heiden.
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