Olympics: Adam Rippon Declines NBC's Offer to Serve as Correspondent
The figure skater, who helped the U.S. men's team win a bronze medal in Pyeongchang, tweeted that he'd learned about the offer via Twitter.
Olympic breakout figure skater Adam Rippon has decided against joining NBC's coverage of the Winter Games in Pyeongchang as a correspondent. He would have worked on television, social media and digital platforms.
Rippon, 28, helped the U.S. men's team win a bronze medal in the free skate competition. The skater, who is openly gay, made headlines last month when he criticized Vice President Mike Pence, referring to the politician as a man who "funded gay conversion therapy."
Rippon also pledged to not attend a White House meeting with Pence and President Donald Trump upon returning from the Olympics.
On Sunday, Rippon tweeted that was "flattered" but decided to decline the offer, which he had learned of via Twitter.
I am flattered that NBC wanted me to work as a correspondent for them here in PyeongChang. Doing this would require me to leave Team USA and move out of the Olympic Village. I don't want to do that so I had to declined the opportunity.
— Adam Rippon (@Adaripp) February 19, 2018
I love being on Team USA and representing our country. My teammates were there for me during my events, and now I NEED to be there for them. I look forward to being with them, and I’m very excited for the rest of the competition. Go Team USA!!!
— Adam Rippon (@Adaripp) February 19, 2018
I actually found everything out about the offer via twitter HAHA 2018 is wild girl
— Adam Rippon (@Adaripp) February 19, 2018
Feb. 18, 7:30 pm: Updated story with Rippon's response declining the offer.
