Billie Jean King to be part of official US delegation at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia

Billie Jean King has spent her entire life fighting for what is fair.

So what an amazing statement President Obama has made by selecting one of the world’s most famous and respected lesbians to be a part of the official delegation representing the US at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia.

These Olympics have a cloud over them because of Russia’s anti-gay propaganda law that makes it illegal to make any sort of public statement in support of homosexuality.

King makes a statement just by being there. The fact that she is thoughtful, passionate and insightful will make the involvement of this 2009 Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient all the more meaningful.

“Honored to represent USA in Sochi and I hope these Olympics will be a watershed moment for the universal acceptance of all people,’ BJK tweeted Tuesday evening.

White House spokesman Shin Inouye said the delegation ‘represents the diversity that is the United States’ and that Obama ‘knows they will showcase to the world the best of America — diversity, determination and teamwork.’

USA Today sports columnist Christine Brennan called it a ‘stroke of genius’ for Obama to send King.

‘What better way to show the nation’s disgust for President Vladimir Putin’s anti-gay propaganda law than for Obama to send an American cultural icon and sports legend who also happens to be openly gay?’ she wrote in a column after the selection was announced.

About three months ago, Billie Jean talked to another reporter at the newspaper about the law and said ‘I would hope the majority of the athletes would speak out. It’s a great platform.’

Then she sighed: ‘I wish I was 21 again and in the Olympics.’

Tennis did not return to the Summer Olympics as an official sport until 1988, five years after Billie Jean had retired from the tennis tour at the age of 40.

She won 12 grand slam singles titles during her career and a record 20 Wimbledon titles in singles, women’s doubles and mixed doubles.

But her off-court accomplishments are even greater as she led the founding of the women’s pro tennis tour, led the fight for equal prize money, founded the Women’s Tennis Association, the Women’s Sports Foundation and World Team Tennis.

BJK also beat Bobby Riggs in 1973’s hugely symbolic Battle of the Sexes match.