President Obama announces updated presidential delegation to Winter Olympics opening ceremony

WASHINGTON, Feb. 5 (UPI) -- U.S. President Barack Obama announced Wednesday the updated presidential delegation to the opening ceremony of the Sochi Winter Olympics following delegation member Billie Jean King's decision to remain state-side with her ailing mother.

With the opening ceremony set for Friday, the president announced an update to "the delegation that will attend athletic events, meet with U.S. athletes, and attend the Opening Ceremony."

Former Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security and current President of the University of California Janet Napolitano will lead the presidential delegation.

U.S. Ambassador to Moscow Michael McFaul, who announced his resignation Tuesday, is a member of the delegation, along with Assistant to the President and Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy Robert Nabors, Olympic figure skating gold medalist Brian Boitano, and Olympic ice hockey silver and bronze medalist Caitlin Cahow.

Tennis Grand Slam winner Billie Jean King, an original member of the presidential delegation, announced Wednesday that due to her mother's failing health, she will no longer be able to travel to Sochi. She said in a statement "I want to thank President Obama for including me in this historic mission and I look forward to supporting our athletes as they compete in Sochi."

[White House] [Wall Street Journal]