Caitlin Cahow
Billie Jean King announced Wednesday she would not be going to Sochi for the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics on Friday because her mother is ill.
Instead, Caitlin Cahow, an Olympic silver and bronze medalist in women’s ice hockey, will replace her.
Cahow was supposed to be part of the closing ceremony but now will not participate in that. No replacement has been named yet.
Cahow and King are both lesbian and were named to the Olympic delegation by President Barack Obama to make a statement about Russia’s new anti-gay law.
Cahow will be joined by Brian Boitano, an Olympic gold medalist in figure skating. Boitano came out recently after he was named to the opening ceremony delegation.
Janet A. Napolitano, president of the University of California and former Secretary of Homeland Security, will lead the delegation. Michael A. McFaul, U.S. ambassador to the Russian Federation, and Robert L. Nabors, assistant to the president and deputy chief of staff for policy, round out the delegation. On Tuesday, McFaul announced his resignation as ambassador effective the end of the month.
