Gay skater Rippon open to meeting Pence - after Games

Figure Skating – Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympics – Training – Gangneung Ice Arena - Gangneung, South Korea – February 7, 2018 - Adam Rippon of the U.S. during practice. REUTERS/John Sibley

GANGNEUNG, South Korea (Reuters) - U.S. figure skater Adam Rippon, who is openly gay, said on Thursday he is willing to meet U.S. Vice President Mike Pence, who has expressed staunchly anti-gay rights views, for an "open conversation" - but only after the Olympics are over.

Rippon set off a furore last month by reportedly criticising Pence's views on LGBTQ rights and then declining when Pence offered to meet with him. Pence arrives in South Korea on Thursday as head of the U.S. delegation to the Games.