Rice not attending Olympics closing ceremonies

CRAWFORD, Texas (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will not attend the closing ceremonies at the Beijing Olympics because of the Russia-Georgia conflict, the White House said on Tuesday.

"She is not going to be attending the closing ceremonies now because of developments around the world," White House spokesman Gordon Johndroe said, referring specifically to the Russia-Georgia conflict.

U.S. Labor Secretary Elaine Chao will now lead the U.S. delegation to the closing ceremonies.

(Reporting by Tabassum Zakaria; Editing by Sandra Maler)