Billie Jean King arrives in Sochi for closing ceremonies: “I’m always big on love over hate”

Billie Jean King made it to Sochi after all.

The tennis icon and equal rights pioneer has arrived in Russia in time for Olympic closing ceremonies. She had to cancel her plans to be there for opening ceremonies because of the death of her 91-year-old mother.

One of the world’s most famous lesbians, Billie Jean is part of the official U.S. delegation that will witness the end of the 23-day international sports festival.

Her selection by President Barack Obama represents the United States’ objection to a so-called “anti-propaganda” law that Russian President Vladimir Putin signed last June.

Billie Jean told the media upon her arrival on Saturday: “Having the Winter Olympics here, the situation here in Russia, has opened up dialogue. I’m always big on love over hate, and I think it’s important that everyone’s treated equally and good to each other. Hopefully, the LGBT community here in Russia knows that they’re not alone and we’ll learn from them.”

Billie Jean said it is impossible to separate sports from politics.

“Politics are in everything,” she said. “To try to act as if there’s not is really keeping our heads in the sand. Of course there’s politics.”

She said the IOC needs to alter the Olympic Charter to specifically state that it forbids discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.

Currently, Principle 6 of the charter states that any form of discrimination on the grounds of “race, religion, politics, gender or otherwise” is “incompatible with belongings to the Olympic movement.”

“Instead of saying ‘And other,’ I would like it to say ‘sexual orientation’ as well or include it very specifically,” she said. “If it’s in there, everyone’s very clear. I like clarity. If there’s anything we should specifically mention, we should do that, too. I would look beyond the LGBT situation. I’d look to see if we’ve forgotten something as well.”