The United States Government is sending a stern message to Russia ahead of the February 7th start of the Sochi Winter Olympic games. By naming openly gay tennis legend Billie Jean King to the US delegation it's strongly rebuffing Russia's attempts to undermine LGBT rights across the world.

Caitlin Cahow, 28, a retired American ice hockey player for the US women's national ice hockey team was also named to the U.S. Sochi Olympic delegation alongside King. Instead of lacing up the skates, Cahow will have to settle for cheering on her squad this time around. Her contributions will be greatly missed as her skills on the rink helped the team win big at the two previous winter games in Salt Lake City and Turin, Italy.

What really makes Cahow's addition to the delegation noteworthy, though, is the fact that, like King, she is openly gay. Cahow is currently a Boston College Law School student and found out she was chosen for the delegation while studying for a Constitutional Law Exam. She was determined to make her voice heard regarding the controversy in a recent interview with USA TODAY.

"It's obviously a statement that's being made, but I think it's an incredibly respectful one," Cahow told USA TODAY Sports. "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.

"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."

Neither President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama nor Vice President Joe Biden will make up the delegation in a break from tradition. The President's busy schedule was cited for his absence.

If the Sochi Olympics do help to propel gay rights forward across the world Cahow will be fully satisfied. Yet a Gold medal victory for her former teammates over arch-rival Canada would just be icing on the cake.