Billie Jean King ready to take centre stage again in Sochi
Gay tennis great hopes to advance LGBT cause in Russia with 'diplomacy through diversity'
Billie Jean King believes that standing up to discrimination is the best way to combat it, so she had no hesitation in joining the US delegation for the Sochi Olympics.
King will help lead the delegation in the opening ceremony on February 7 at the Sochi Games, which has been overshadowed by a recent anti-gay law in Russia, calls for a boycott and criticism from human rights groups.
"It took about 10 seconds," King said this week about deciding to go to Sochi. "It sends a strong message that America is very diverse. We are here, and surrogates as athletes and gay athletes.
I thought it would be sweet to wave some flags or something. But they can get in big trouble and have their medal taken away and also be sent home
"We reflect part of America. Maybe we'll be a voice for people who don't feel they can be a voice yet."
She'll be joined in the delegation by two openly gay former Olympic athletes - figure skater Brian Boitano and hockey player Caitlin Cahow. In June, Russia passed a law banning gay "propaganda" to minors.
King said she'll walk in the opening ceremony, attend ice hockey and figure skating events and meet US athletes during her three-day visit to the Games.
The former tennis star said she'd like sexual orientation added to the list of protections in the IOC charter.