Times: US delegation to include gay athletes

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20131219/sport/US-delegation-to-include-gay-athletes.499630#.Ur1X49JDuSo
Thursday, December 19, 2013, 00:01

The US has named former tennis star Billie Jean King, one of the first prominent athletes to publicly acknowledge her homosexuality, to be in the US delegation to the Winter Olympics in Sochi, where Russia’s anti-gay policies have stirred controversy.

Another openly gay athlete, two-time Olympic hockey player Caitlin Cahow, will represent the United States at closing ceremonies, according to a White House statement.

Although Russia has thrown itself into staging the games, preparations have been overshadowed by international criticism of its human rights record and a recent anti-gay propaganda law that critics say discriminates against homosexuals.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has said several times that gay athletes are welcome in Russia and that no discrimination will be tolerated. He has said the law is needed to protect young people.

The legislation, however, has drawn calls by human rights activists to boycott the Olympics.

German President Joachim Gauck has announced he will not attend the Olympics even though he went to the 2012 London Olympic Games, but he declined to comment on the reason for his decision.
France stand

Likewise, France has said that neither President Francois Hollande nor any top French official would attend the Sochi games, also without offering an explanation.

President Barack Obama, speaking about the Russian law in a television interview in August, said he had “no patience for countries that try to treat gays or lesbians or transgender persons in ways that intimidate them or are harmful to them.”

The US delegation is also led by a lower-ranking official than has been the case for recent Games.

Former Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano, who is now chancellor of the University of California system, will lead the US group.

In contrast, first lady Michelle Obama headed the US delegation to the 2012 London Games and vice president Joe Biden performed that role for the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver.