The International Olympic Committee says that Daily Beast writer Nico Hines is no longer in Rio and deemed his article on Grindr sex “unacceptable”. Last week Hines used the Grindr app to write a piece on gay hook-up sex among Olympians and outed the athletes he chatted with by providing details that could identify them. Some of those athletes were from countries that are notoriously anti-gay, and could have been put in danger by the article.
ICYMI: Straight Journalist Cruises Grindr at the Olympics, Outs Athletes From Anti-Gay Countries
Outsports reports that the IOC told them Hines had been recalled:
“We understand the organization concerned recalled the journalist after complaints and withdrew the story,” an IOC spokesperson told Outsports today in an email statement. “This kind of reporting is simply unacceptable.” It’s the IOC’s first response since the controversy broke on Thursday.
It could not be immediately confirmed if Hines is still in Rio. However, his last story on the Daily Beast’s website was Aug. 9, two days before his story about Olympics sex was posted. He also has not tweeted since Aug. 10, a day before the story appeared. An email to the Daily Beast concerning Hines’ status has not been answered as of now.
Last week a petition circulated asking the IOC to revoke the credentials of both Hines and The Daily Beast. That petition has nearly 9,233 signatures as of this posting.
