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. 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." Air Jordan Outlet . Viewers in the Jets region can watch the game on TSN Jets at 6:30pm ct/7:30pm et. The game is also avialable on TSN Radio 1290 in Winnipeg at 7pm ct. Cheap Jordan From China . -- Andrew Wiggins is from Canada, Wayne Selden from Massachusetts and Joel Embiid from the African nation of Cameroon. https://www.jordanchina.us/. - The Washington Redskins have signed free agent offensive lineman Mike McGlynn. Air Jordan China . Ive said it before, Ive worked with top pros and I could have made my own program. Jordan China . TSN Hockey Insiders Pierre LeBrun and Bob McKenzie both reported Thursday that there have been ongoing trade discussions between the Oilers and Los Angeles Kings over forward Sam Gagner. PHILADELPHIA -- Steve Mason skated off the Flyers ice to a roar he waited a career to hear. The thunderous cheers quickly changed to an appreciative chant: "Ma-son! Ma-son! Ma-son! Headed to New York with new life, Mason sure earned this curtain call. Mason stopped 37 shots for his first career post-season win, Matt Read and Jakub Voracek scored and the Philadelphia Flyers evened their first-round matchup against the New York Rangers with a 2-1 win in Game 4 on Friday night. In his first start of the series, Mason shut down the Rangers, and shut out the noise of a raucous crowd. "The crowd is unbelievable this time of the year," Mason said. "Its definitely loud out there. Sometimes, its almost too loud for a goaltender. You cant hear the shot being released." He had no trouble keeping his eye on the puck and was in top form almost two weeks after he suffered an upper-body injury. Ray Emery was solid in the first three games but Mason played the final 7:15 in a 4-1 loss Tuesday night. Mason was just getting warmed up. He played perhaps his best game of the season, denying a Rangers team that pressured him with shots all game. He was a wall in the final tense minutes when the Rangers pulled goalie Henrik Lundqvist for the extra attacker. Dominic Moore scored for the Rangers, who squandered their chance to win the series this weekend at home. Game 5 is Sunday at Madison Square Garden. "You dont want to go to MSG down 3-1 in the series and have to win in that building," Mason said. "For us, it was pretty much a must win." The Rangers outshot the Flyers 16-6 and dominated a first period that put Mason to work in a hurry. But the Flyers escaped with a 1-1 tie after Jason Akesons shot off the backboards bounced straight to Read, who beat Lundqvist on his left side for the goal. "He told me he meant to do that," Read said. "It came right to me. I just had to one-time it. I think Lundqvist got a piece of it but well take it." Read caught Lundqvist out of place at the perfect time. "I didnt expect it to come out that fast and on his stick," he said. "It was hard for me to come across." Voracek redirected Brayden Schenns shot from the slot past Lundqvist for a power-pllay goal and a 2-1 lead.dddddddddddd Mason had never played with a lead in five career post-season starts. Mason hadnt started a playoff game in five years since his rookie season with Columbus. The Blue Jackets were swept by Detroit in that series, and the late-season injury against Pittsburgh delayed his Philadelphia post-season debut. "I waited a long time for it, but one doesnt do much in the long run," Mason said. Flyers captain Claude Giroux hasnt scored in the series but his strongest performance came after Game 3s loss when he said, "Were going to tie up the series and go back to New York." Off theyll go to New York, the series tied. "Its going to be better for us mentally to go up there," Giroux said. Giroux limped to the bench after taking a hard hit from Mats Zuccarello late in the third. Giroux, third in the NHL with 86 points, had no shots on goal in the first two games and has only two assists through four games. Moore gave the Rangers a 1-0 lead when he joined the rush out of the penalty box and scored on a wraparound goal 4:38 into the game. The Rangers pounded Mason with shot after shot, doubling the Flyers total for most of the first two periods. Mason was sprawled in the crease stopping several shots and kept the Flyers in a game they desperately needed to win. "He looked confident right from the get-go, and he had to be in the first," coach Craig Berube said. Lundqvist, an eight-time All-Star and 2012 Vezina Trophy winner, stopped 23 shots but was betrayed by an offence that couldnt convert open looks. The Rangers were 0 for 4 on the power play and are 0 for 12 since Game 2. "We got good looks, but this time of year you need more than good looks," Rangers coach Alain Vigneault said. "You need to get the job done." Notes: The Rangers have scored first in the last three games. ... Flyers D Nicklas Grossmann left the game in the second period with a lower-body injury. ... Lauren Hart, the daughter of longtime former Flyers broadcaster Gene Hart, sang "God Bless America," alternating lyrics with Kate Smith, who was on a video image. Smiths rendition of the song has been a rallying anthem for the Flyers since the mid-1970s. ... Game 6 is Tuesday in Philadelphia. ' ' '