Such a bummer that Billie Jean King's much-publicized role in the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi has been called off because of her ailing mother. I wish her and her family well -- and I can vouch for her mom's living in Arizona: I ran into at Sky Harbor International Airport once, aka the greatest day of my life!
The AP reports:
Billie Jean King will not attend Friday's opening ceremony of the Sochi Olympics in Russia because her mother is ill. King, who was selected to help lead the U.S. delegation to the Games, has been outspoken in her opposition to Russia's anti-gay law. She also planned to attend ice hockey and figure skating events and meet U.S. athletes during her three-day visit to the games. The White House announced Wednesday that former U.S. hockey player Caitlin Cahow, originally scheduled for the closing ceremony, will take King's place. King told The Associated Press that because of her mother's "failing health, I will not be able to join the U.S. Presidential delegation at this week's opening ceremonies of the Sochi Olympics."
Betty Moffitt, her 91-year-old mother, lives in Arizona and has been ill for some time. King will be joined by her brother Randy Moffitt, a former pitcher for the San Francisco Giants. "It is important for me to be with my mother and my brother at this difficult time. 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."
FYI: Meet the six openly gay athletes participating in the Sochi games HERE.