U.S. Delegation to Sochi

The White House Delegation to the Sochi Winter Olympic Games includes three out gay athletes:

 

 

• Billie Jean King, Tennis

 

 

 

 

• Caitlin Cahow, Women’s Ice Hockey

 

 

 

• Brian Boitano, Men’s Figure Skating

 

 

 

Led by Janet Napolitano, former Secretary of Homeland Security and current president of the University of California, the delegation’s activities include attending events, meetings with US athletes and attending the Opening and Closing Ceremonies.

LGBT advocacy groups have noted the naming of the openly gay

athletes as a message or statement of support by President Obama countering the Russian government’s anti-gay policies. In June 2013 the Russian parliament passed a law barring “propaganda” and “nontraditional sexual relations” for the purpose of protecting children.