Jason Collins and Eric Fanning to attend Rio 2016 in US Delegation appointed by Obama

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Two out gay men will be part of the US delegation selected by President Obama to attend the closing ceremony at the Rio Olympics.

Out NBA player Jason Collins andUS Army Secretary Eric Fanning will be at the games.

Both tweeted in celebration at being asked to attend the ceremony.

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The White House also released a statement, which reads: “President Barack Obama today announced the designation of a Presidential Delegation to attend the Closing Ceremony of the 2016 Olympic Summer Games in Rio de Janeiro, Federative Republic of Brazil. The Closing Ceremony of the 2016 Olympic Summer Games in Rio de Janeiro, Federative Republic of Brazil will be held on August 21, 2016.”

Collins earlier this year revealed he came out to Democratic Presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton before he opened up to the world.

Former Brooklyn Nets player Jason Collins made history in 2013 when he came out as gay on the cover of Sports Illustrated – the first US pro sports star to do so.

Obama nominee Eric Fanning became the United States Secretary of the Army in May this year, making history as the first out man to head a military branch.

A gold medal-winning Brazilian judo champion has come out publicly as gay in an interview during the Rio Olympics.