Caitlin Cahow has said that it is an "amazing opportunity" for her to be a member of Team USA at the Winter Olympics.
The 28-year-old, who retired from ice hockey in 2013, is part of the US delegate to the Sochi Games.
"It'll be difficult not to be on the ice," she told WBUR. "I've dedicated so much of my life to being an athlete.
"But it's a new opportunity for me to represent my country. And I'm excited to take it all in and not have to worry about, you know, getting sleep so that I can compete the next day.
"It's going to be an amazing opportunity to really witness and take in and experience the Olympics as a spectator. I'm very excited."
Cahow won a bronze medal at the 2006 Winter Olympics and a silver medal in Vancouver four years later.