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Team USA figure skater Adam Rippon turns down NBC correspondent gig

By Alex Butler
Adam Rippon of the United States competes in the finals for the Men's Single Skating Short Program during the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympics Saturday at the Gangneung Ice Arena in Gangneung, South Korea. Photo by Richard Ellis/UPI
1 of 3 | Adam Rippon of the United States competes in the finals for the Men's Single Skating Short Program during the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympics Saturday at the Gangneung Ice Arena in Gangneung, South Korea. Photo by Richard Ellis/UPI | License Photo

Feb. 19 (UPI) -- Figure skater Adam Rippon decided to turn down an offer from NBC to serve as an Olympic correspondent because he wants to stay with Team USA in the Olympic Village.

Rippon made the decision on Monday morning, Pyeongchang time.

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"I am flattered that NBC wanted me to work as a correspondent for them here in Pyeongchang," Rippon tweeted Monday. "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."

"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!!!"

An NBC spokesman told USA Today on Sunday that Rippon was hired by the network to serve as a correspondent during the remainder of the Olympics, working on television, digital and social media platforms.

USA Today later reported that Rippon decided not to take the NBC offer when he realized he would have to move out of Team USA housing and couldn't march in the closing ceremony.

"I actually found everything out about the offer via twitter. HAHA 2018 is wild girl."

The 28-year-old Pennsylvania native was part of Team USA's bronze medal winning mixed team figure skating squad. Rippon placed 10th in the men's singles final on Friday. He is finished competing at the 2018 Winter Games.

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