Obama won’t attend Russian Winter Olympics in Sochi but will send gay inclusive delegation
US President Barack Obama has named two gay sports stars as part of America’s delegation to the Winter Olympics in Russia – but in a significant move has confirmed that he will not be attending the event himself.
Tennis legend Billie Jean King will represent the US delegation for the opening ceremony.
Ice hockey player and Olympic silver and bronze medalist Caitlin Cahow, 28, will represent the US for the closing ceremony.
For the first time since 2000, the US will also not send a president, former president, first lady or vice president to the Winter Olympics.
Last week, White House Press secretary Jay Carney said: “I can be very clear that our views on the issues that you mention with regard to Russia’s civil rights record have been abundantly clear, and we’ve made it clear that we expect Russia to conduct the Olympics in a way that respects the rights of all participants.”
In a statement on Tuesday, Billie Jean King said: “I am equally proud to stand with the members of the LGBT community in support of all athletes who will be competing in Sochi and I hope these Olympic Games will indeed be a watershed moment for the universal acceptance of all people.”
In response, Downing Street said it “doesn’t usually talk about the Prime Minister’s travel plans in advance.”
German President Joachim Gauck also said he was not going to the Games.
However, both President Hollande and President Gauck failed to state their official reasons for not attending.
A federal bill banning gay “propaganda” was signed into law by President Putin in June.
It prescribes fines for providing information about homosexuality to people under the age of 18 – ranging from 4,000 roubles (£78) for an individual to 1m roubles (£19,620) for organisations.
President Obama replied saying he had “no patience for countries that try to treat gays and lesbians and transgender persons in ways that intimidate them or are harmful to them.”
