Mike Pence’s office has denied it contacted Adam Rippon after the US figure skater reportedly rejected a meeting with the vice-president before the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang.
Rippon, 28, one of two openly gay male athletes on the US Winter Olympics team, had criticised Pence’s role leading the American delegation to the opening ceremony in South Korea during a January interview with USA Today.
According to reports this week, Pence’s office contacted Rippon shortly after the article was published to request a meeting, which Rippon subsequently declined.
On Thursday, Pence’s office denied they had contacted Rippon.
“The vice-president’s office did not reach out to set up a conversation with Mr Rippon. As we’ve said before, the vice-president is supporting all the US athletes in the Olympics and is hoping they all win medals,” Pence’s communications director, Jarrod Agen, said in a statement.
In January the figure skater drew attention to previous allegations that Pence, a conservative Catholic, had funded gay conversion therapy. The allegations probably relate to a campaign pledge, made in 2000 as Pence ran for Indiana governor, in which he argued: “Resources should be directed toward those institutions which provide assistance to those seeking to change their sexual behavior.”
Pence’s office has denied the pledge related to conversion therapy and indicated it was instead a reference to initiatives encouraging safe sex.
The same 2000 campaign document also urged Congress to oppose same-sex marriage and reject anti-discrimination laws for the LGBTQ community. It also declared: “Homosexuality is incompatible with military service because the presence of homosexuals in the ranks weakens unit cohesion.”
As the feud continued into Thursday morning Pence attempted to interact with Rippon directly on Twitter.
“@Adaripp I want you to know we are FOR YOU. Don’t let fake news distract you. I am proud of you and ALL OF OUR GREAT athletes and my only hope for you and all of #TeamUSA is to bring home the gold. Go get ‘em!” the vice-president tweeted.
The figure skater had not replied to the message as of Thursday afternoon.
In recent interviews Rippon has told reporters he has no interest in “picking a fight” with the vice-president, and is instead focused on training for the games.
The figure skater is competing in his first Olympic Games.
