Obama names delegation to Olympic closing ceremony

Tennis star Billie Jean King, who couldn't attend the opening of the Sochi Olympics because of her mother's illness, will be a member of President Barack Obama's official delegation to the games' closing ceremony.

The White House says the group will also include the American Olympic gold medalist speed skaters Bonnie Blair and Eric Heiden.

The delegation will attend athletic competitions, meet U.S. athletes and attend the closing ceremony. The White House said Friday the delegation will be headed by Deputy Secretary of State William Burns and will also include Michael McFaul, the U.S. ambassador to Russia.

King, selected to help lead the U.S. delegation to the Games, was unable to attend the Feb. 7 opening because of the illness of her mother, who died that day.