Billie Jean King not attending Sochi Opening Ceremony
By Sam Rigby
Billie Jean King will miss the opening ceremony of the Sochi Winter Olympics.
The lesbian tennis champion will not travel to Russia with US presidential delegation because of her mother’s ill health.
The White House confirmed yesterday (February 5) that King will stay behind in the States to be with her 91-year-old mother, who lives in Arizona.
King said in a statement: “It is important for me to be with my mother and my brother at this difficult time.
“I want to thank President Obama for including me in this historic mission, and I look forward to supporting our athletes as they compete in Sochi.”
King was one of three openly gay athletes to be part of the US delegation, which also includes figure skater Brian Boitano and Caitlin Cahow, a former member of the US women’s ice hockey team.