Billie Jean King will go to Sochi after all – sports icon will attend closing ceremonies

This is wonderful news.

Billie Jean King had to miss opening ceremonies of the Sochi Olympics because her beloved mother, Betty Moffitt, died.

BJK and her brother, former San Francisco Giants pitcher Randy Moffitt, were both by their mother’s side when she passed away earlier this month at the age of 91.

The trailblazing Billie Jean, appointed to the official US delegation by President Obama, is now prepared to make the trip to Russia and will attend closing ceremonies.

Obama made headlines when his chosen delegates for the opening ceremony were openly gay athletes including US hockey player Caitlin Cahow and Brian Boitano, a former Olympic figure skating champion.

Cahow, who was originally slated for closing ceremonies, replaced Billie Jean at opening ceremonies.

Many believe Obama is sending a message to Putin saying he is committed to equal rights and visibility of LGBTI people in the light of the many homophobic incidents that have taken place in Russia recently.