In what is being heralded by USA Today as a “stroke of genius,” President Barack Obama has named openly gay tennis great Billie Jean King to the U. S. Olympic delegation for the 2014 Sochi Winter Games.

The action seems in direct response to Russian President Vladimir Putin's anti-LGBT propaganda law, and means that for the first time in 20 years, the American delegation will not include a U. S. president, vice president, one of their wives, or a current cabinet secretary. King, a 12-time Slam winner, voiced the need for athletes and others alike to unite and speak out on these issues.

“I am equally proud to stand with the members of the LGBT communicty 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,” stated King.

Russian-born Maria Sharapova, who has signed on as an NBC correspondent for the Olympics, told The New York Times this week that she believes the issues will be tackled in due time.

“I think what needs to be addressed will ultimately be addressed,” she stated of the laws. “I think time will address this issue. It will. I'm proud of being Russian because I believe in the true core of its history and the culture, and that's where I grew up, and I feel very proud to be from there. But never have I said that every individual there is perfect or every law is right.”