The six-person delegation was set to include Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth, who lost both her legs in Iraq, wrestler Anthony Robles and Sandra Dukat, who won three Paralympic skiing bronze medals across Salt Lake City 2002 and Turin 2006.

National Security Council spokeswoman Caitlin Hayden told The Associated Press the decision has been made "in addition to other measures we are taking in response to the situation in Ukraine".

Last month, the United States sent a strong message against Russia's controversial anti-gay propaganda law by including in its official Government delegation for the Olympics former tennis player Billie Jean King and Caitlin Cahow, a two-time Olympic ice hockey medallist, who are both openly lesbian.

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

US President Barack Obama has said Russia is putting itself on the wrong side of history with its decision to send troops into Crimea ©AFP/Getty Images



Great Britain has also made a similar stand as the crisis in Ukraine continues.

British Prime Minister David Cameron said none of his Ministers will attend the Games, writing in a post on Twitter: "Because of the serious situation in Ukraine, [Foreign Secretary] @WilliamJHague & I believe it would be wrong for UK Ministers to attend the Sochi Paralympics."

Meanwhile Prince Edward, a patron of the British Paralympic Association, has pulled out of attending the Sochi Winter Paralympics on Government advice.

Russia says it had to send its troops into Crimea to protect its interests following unrest in the country, but has come under widespread condemnation from many of the world's global powers, with the threat of tough sanctions now hanging over it.

The vast majority of the 45 nations competing in the Sochi Winter Paralympics have arrived in the city, with the Opening Ceremony, due on Friday (March 7) ,kicking off nine days of competition.