Adam Rippon Will Not Work As a Correspondent for NBC's Remaining 2018 Winter Olympics Coverage
U.S. figure skater Adam Rippon has been one of the biggest stars of the 2018 PyeonChang Winter Olympics and initially decided to join NBC for the remainder of the Games before backing out of the deal.
According to Christine Brennan of USA Today Sports, NBC came to an agreement with Rippon to come on on as a correspondent to assists with coverage "on a variety of platforms, including television digital and social media." On Sunday night, he changed his mind and a source told Brennan that he would rather remain as an Olympian. If he accepted NBC's offer, he would have been required to relinquish his official Olympic standing, surrender his credential and move out of the Team USA housing. He would have also not been allowed to participate in the Closing Ceremonies.
Rippon, 28, has been working toward becoming a household name during his first Olympics. Rippon, who is openly gay, made waves when he said he would not meet with Mike Pence, who led the U.S. delegation to the games, because Pence has been accused of funding gay conversion therapy. He later said he would meet with Pence after the games.
Rippon also said he will not attend Team USA's White House visit.
• What Adam Rippon Was Thinking During His Olympic Debut
He then went on to help Team USA collect a bronze medal in the team figure skating event. He also left the country amazed at his free program.
