But it will not include President Barack Obama or the First Lady, his wife Michelle, who attended London 2012 on his behalf, or Vice-President Joe Biden, the White House's representative at Vancouver 2010. 

It will be the first time since Sydney 2000 that the President or former President, First Lady or Vice-President has not led to the US delegation to the Olympics. 

A statement from the White House claimed Obama's schedule will not allow him to travel to Sochi for the Opening Ceremony of the Winter Olympics on February 7.

"President Obama is extremely proud of our US athletes and looks forward to cheering them on from Washington," the statement said.

"He knows they will showcase to the world the best of America -diversity, determination and teamwork."

Vice-President Joe Biden represented the United States Government at the last Winter Olympics, Vancouver 2010 ©Getty Images

The delegation will be led by Janet Napolitano, former Secretary of Homeland Security and current President of the University of California, and will also include figure skater Brian Boitano, the 1988 Olympic champion and former speed skaters Bonnie Blair and Eric Heiden, both five-time Olympic gold medallists. 

Obama has been among the most prominent critics of the controversial law passed by Russian President Vladimir Putin in June which bans propaganda about "non-traditional sexual relations" as a means of protecting children. 

The International Olympic Committee has claimed it has assurances from Russian organisers that athletes, officials and spectators will not face discrimination based on sexual orientation.

But French President Francois Hollande and German President Joachim Gauck have already both announced that they will not be attending Sochi 2014, decisions widely interpreted as a protest against Russia's human rights record, including the anti-gay protests law.

King had been the first prominent professional female athlete to come out as a lesbian in 1981 duringa palimony lawsuit launched by a former partner.

In 2009 she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by Obama for her work advocating for the rights of women and the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community.

Earlier this year, King, winner of a 39 Grand Slam titles, including 12 singles, 16 women's doubles, and 11 mixed doubles titles, had told USA Today newspaper that he American athletes should speak out against the Russian anti-gay legislation.

"I would hope the majority of the athletes would speak out," King, who is now 70, told the newspaper.