President Barack Obama sent Russia a clear message about its treatment of gays and lesbians with who he is -- and isnt -- sending to represent the United States at the Sochi Olympics. Shaun Alexander Jersey . Billie Jean King will be one of two openly gay athletes in the U.S. delegation for the opening and closing ceremonies, Obama announced Tuesday. For the first time since 2000, however, the U.S. will not send a president, former president, first lady or vice-president to the Games. Russia has come under fierce criticism for passing national laws banning "gay propaganda." Though the White House did not specifically address the Russian laws in making its announcement, spokesman Shin Inouye said the delegation "represents the diversity that is the United States" and that Obama "knows they will showcase to the world the best of America -- diversity, determination and teamwork." The White House said Obamas schedule will not permit him to attend the Games. "Its a positive sign to see openly gay representatives in the delegation," said Michael Cole-Schwartz, spokesman for the Human Rights Campaign, which recently sent a letter urging Obama to include gays and lesbians in the delegation. "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." King said she was "deeply honoured" to be named to the delegation. "I am equally proud to stand with the members of the LGBT community in support of all athletes who will be competing in Sochi and I hope these Olympic Games will indeed be a watershed moment for the universal acceptance of all people," said King, who will attend the opening ceremony. Hockey player Caitlin Cahow is the other openly gay representative to the delegation. Shell attend the closing ceremony. The U.S. Olympic Committee made no comment about the sexual orientation of the delegation. In a nod to its disapproval of the law, however, the USOC recently revised its non-discrimination policy to include sexual orientation. France and Germany are among the other countries who will not send their presidents to Sochi for the Games. Earlier this year, Obama rejected the idea of a U.S. boycott of the Olympics despite a number of differences with Russia, including the anti-gay law. This move, however, sends a strong signal: In 2010, Vice-President Joe Biden led the delegation, and in 2012, first lady Michelle Obama held the honour. This years group is led by former Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano. Others in the delegation include U.S. Ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul, figure skater Brian Boitano and presidential adviser Rob Nabors. King, the iconic tennis player, might be the most recognizable face in the group. Shes a 39-time Grand Slam title winner (singles, doubles and mixed), a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom and one of the most prominent advocates of equality for women in sports and society over the past several decades. Shell attend the Olympics in a country that is creating tension for several key players because of the laws, including the International Olympic Committee, which awarded the Games to Russia. Earlier this month, IOC President Thomas Bach said Russia would set up public protest zones in Sochi for "people who want to express their opinion or want to demonstrate for or against something." Meanwhile, the IOC approved a letter going out to athletes reminding them to refrain from protests or political gestures during the Sochi Games -- reiterating Rule 50 of the Olympic charter, which forbids demonstrations on Olympic grounds. Bach had previously said hed received assurances from Russian President Vladimir Putin that gays will not be discriminated against in Sochi. But the Russian law has raised questions about what could happen to athletes who wear pins or badges or carry flags supporting gay rights. Earlier this fall, skier Bode Miller was one of the few American athletes to speak out against the Russian law, calling it "absolutely embarrassing." Robert Turbin Jersey . After losing the first two games of this set in Arlington the Tigers showed some signs of life on Tuesday, as Miguel Cabrera, Victor Martinez and Jhonny Peralta all homered and Austin Jackson went 3-for-5 with a run scored and an RBI for the AL Central champs in a 5-2 win. Brandon Mebane Jersey . #SportingKC pic.twitter.Paris, France (SportsNetwork.com) - Former champion and last years runner-up Maria Sharapova and Czech slugger Petra Kvitova won their opening matches at the 2014 French Open on Monday. After waiting out a rain delay, the seventh-seeded Russian star Sharapova needed only 61 minutes to post a 6-1, 6-2 win over compatriot Ksenia Pervak on Court Chatrier. Pervak has yet to win a match in four trips to Roland Garros. "Its always nice to get out there on a day like this. Its good to play first match, as you know," Sharapova said. "Hopefully youll be able to finish the match today with the weather conditions being as they are. Its always nice to get through." Sharapova completed a career Grand Slam at the 2012 French Open and reached the final at this clay court major last year, only to lose to Serena Williams. The fifth-seeded former Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova handled Kazakhstans Zarina Diyas 7-5, 6-2 on Day 2, while ninth-seeded Australian Open runner-up Dominika Cibulkova, of Slovakia, overcame a taxing first set to beat French journeywoman Virginie Razzano 7-5, 6-0. Also on Day 2, 12th-seeded Italian Flavia Pennetta flattened Austrian Patricia Mayr-Achleitner 6-2, 6-2 and 16th-seeded 2013 Wimbledon runner-up Sabine Lisicki, of Germany, handled Frances Fiona Ferro 6-1, 7-5. Frances Pauline Parmentier upended 17th-seeded Italian Roberta Vinci 3-6, 6-3, 6-2; hot 18th-seeded Canadian Eugenie Bouchard drilled Israeli Shahar Peer 6-0, 6-2; 19th-seeded former U. Richard Sherman Jersey. S. Open champion and former French Open runner-up Samantha Stosur, of Australia, pasted Puerto Rican Monica Puig 6-1, 6-1; 20th-seeded French favorite Alize Cornet raced past Aussie teenager Ashleigh Barty 6-2, 6-1; 28th-seeded German Andrea Petkovic peppered Japans Misaki Doi 6-3, 6-3; and 32nd-seeded Russian Elena Vesnina outlasted American Christina McHale 7-6 (7-0), 4-6, 6-3. The 20-year-old Bouchard corralled her first career WTA title in Nuremberg, Germany, two days ago. The 20-year-old Puig was fresh off her first career title in Strasbourg last week in France. Several other women reached the second round, including American Taylor Townsend, Germans Julia Goerges and Mona Barthel, and Austrian Tamira Paszek. Townsend got past fellow American Vania King 7-5, 6-1. Several stars will see opening-round action on Tuesday, including second- seeded Australian Open champion and former Roland Garros titlist Li Na; fourth-seeded Simona Halep; 10th-seeded former French Open runner-up Sara Errani; 11th-seeded former world No. 1 and former Roland Garros winner Ana Ivanovic; and 13th-seeded former top-ranked performer Caroline Wozniacki. Li will take on Frances Kristina Mladenovic, while Errani will encounter American Madison Keys. cheap jerseyscheap jerseys from china ' ' '
