President Barack Obama has made a huge statement by selecting former tennis legend, Billie Jean King and former hockey star Caitlin Cahow, who are lesbians to represent the White House at the Sochi Olympics in 2014.
The announcement, which was made on Tuesday also included the following:
“A number of officials and legendary athletes would be representing our government in the upcoming Winter Olympic Games in Sochi. We are glad to assist their participation in any way and we are confident that America’s elite athletes would put up an impressive show”.
It is a clear move by the American Government to oppose the Russian laws which prohibits the promotion of sexual relationships to minors. The laws were signed by President Vladimir Putin in June and it bans public display of affection between homosexual couples and even discussion of such kind is banned to make sure that children are not exposed to such relationships at such a tender age. The penalties vary from jail time, fines and other similar punishments.
Civil groups made a huge outcry of the Winter games after the announcement. TheObama administration initially didn’t take such a strong view against the stand but the recent actions have clearly shown that the President disapproves of the law.
It would be the first time since 2000 that the United States has not send a famous political person to the Olympics. Michelle Obama and Joe Biden led the delegation at the 2012 Summer Olympics in Longon and the 2010 Vancouver Winter games respectively.
“It is a bright sign that the US president allowing gay representatives in the delegation. It should send a strong message to the Russians and other parts of the world that the United States values civil and human rights more than anything else”, Cole-Schwartz, Human Rights Campaign spokesperson said.