It is a proud moment for Caitlin Cahow, a 28-year-old openly gay Boston College (BC) student. Cahow, a two-time Olympic medallist in ice-hockey, along with former tennis star Billie Jean King, have been chosen to represent the U.S. presidential delegation to the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi. King is one of the famous athletes to reveal her sexuality.
Expressing her happiness, Cahow tweeted on Tuesday:
Humbled and proud to represent our country with these remarkable ambassadors https://t.co/JmOyxZWDxs
— Caitlin Cahow (@OchoCahow) December 18, 2013
"So I think it's just a great group of people. I can't believe I've been named one of them because it's a remarkable roster and I just think that we're going to represent what the best America can be. Hopefully, it will unify all of Team USA and send a message of love and acceptance to the world," Cahow told USA Today Sports.
Cahow is a member of the United States women's national ice hockey team and plays for Boston Blades in the Canadian Women's Hockey League.
"We are very proud of Caitlin and are not surprised that she has been chosen as a US delegate for the Winter Olympic Games. She is an outstanding student, person and ambassador," Jack Dunn, BC spokesperson, told Metro.
By sending two gay athletes in the delegation, President Barack Obama, has sent a clear message to Russia about his stance on gays and lesbians in the country. In the days leading to the winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia has come under fierce criticism for passing the anti-gay laws in the country.
"It's obviously a statement that's being made, but I think it's an incredibly respectful one," Cahow, a Harvard graduate, said. "Basically, the White House is highlighting Americans who know what it means to have freedoms and liberties under the constitution. That's really what we're representing in Sochi and it's not at all different from what's espoused in the spirit of Olympism.
Michael Cole-Schwartz, spokesman for the Human Rights Campaign, which requested Obama to list gays and lesbians in the delegation, is happy to see the mention of athletes of the community.
"Hopefully it sends a message to the Russian people and the rest of the world that the United States values the civil and human rights of LGBT people," National Post reports.
King and Cahow will attend the opening and closing ceremonies of the winter Olympic Games and meet with the U.S. athletes.
