The US delegation attending the closing ceremony of the Rio Olympics will include two gay men, Secretary of the Army Eric Fanning and former NBA player Jason Collins.
The White House made the announcement yesterday, 12 August. The delegates will meet with US athletes, attend sporting events and the ceremony ending the Summer Games.
Collins and Fanning expressed their gratitude on social media.
Beyond honored & excited to be on the Presidential delegation for the #ClosingCeremony at #RioOlympics. #GoTeamUSA
https://t.co/FVK5rE1yNJ
— Jason Collins (@jasoncollins98) August 12, 2016
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Woohoo! Thrilled to join US #Olympics Closing Ceremony Delegation in Rio to rep @POTUS, #ArmyOlympians & #TeamUSAhttps://t.co/WyyZePPEKa
— Eric Fanning (@SECARMY) August 12, 2016
This isn’t the first time the Obama White House has sent LGBTI individuals to represent the US at Olympic Games. At Sochi, in 2012, Brian Boitano, a former Olympic figure skating champion. US hockey player Caitlin Cahow, and tennis legend Billie Jean King went to the final festivities.
Joining Collins and Fanning in Brazil will be Liliana Ayalde, U.S. Ambassador to Brazil; White House advisor Bess Evans; Olympic champion Jackie Joyner-Kersee; the EPA’s Gina McCarthy (who will lead the delegation), and Lauren Kelly, social secretary to the First Lady.
h/t: NewNowNext
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