An aspiring Olympic athlete said he had ‘no choice’ but to create an OnlyFans account following sports suspension.
A British canoeist says his hopes of competing at the Olympics may have been crushed before it could even begin – all because of his lewd online content.
Speaking to Sky News, Kurts Adams Rozentals said he was driven to posting revealing content on the controversial site, OnlyFans, a subscription-based service for adult content, to raise funds for his canoeing career.
Rozentals competes in canoe slalom and comes part of Paddle UK’s top programme for Olympic hopefuls.
The athlete competing in the Canoe Slalom British senior team and Olympic selection trials in 2019 (Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
However, he said he was suspended by the governing body in April.
In a heartbreaking post on Instagram, the athlete wrote: “I might lose my sports career with this post, but I couldn’t stay silent.
“For the last 15+ years, my life has revolved around one thing: canoe slalom. The sport I live and breathe.
“My family sacrificed everything so I could keep chasing the ultimate dream of racing at the Olympics.”
He continued: “A few years ago, I finally earned my spot on the GB World Class Program. I proved with medals on the international stage that it doesn’t matter where you come from or what your circumstances are in life… If you’re willing to do whatever it takes, anything is possible.”
Rozentals then revealed PaddleUK allegedly banned him from competing at the second and final part of GB team selections, and prohibited from speaking to his coach, staff and teammates – because of his ‘social media posts’.
Kurts said he felt like he had no choice (kurtsadams/Instagram)
“I started making what they not describe ‘edgy videos’, with the focus to grow a following, because trying to live on the salary PaddleUK pays their athletes is near impossible.
“I was sick of worrying how to pay rent,” he continued. “I was sick of being on the verge of homelessness.”
According to the news outlet, Paddle UK said Rozentals was under interim action pending the outcome of an investigation.
The board said in a statement that it was a ‘neutral act’ and not ‘disciplinary action’.
Sky reports Paddle UK’s disciplinary policy lists offensive use of social media and indecent, offensive or immoral behavior as possible gross misconduct.
Rozentals revealed he had received £16,000 (around $21,600) in funding from Paddle UK for his training but stated the sum ‘is not anywhere near enough to be able to pursue elite sport’.
Kurts said he was on the verge of homelessness (Kurtsadams/Instagram)
He said he picked up temporary work like freelance and warehouse jobs before turning to OnlyFans in January to make up the shortfall in funds.
The rising star said he was ‘raised with a whatever-it-takes mentality, and I think that’s how we’ve got to where we are now’.
He said: “At the end of the day, I started this to help with the sport, and it certainly is helping when I’m on the start line, and I’m not having to worry about rent and food on the table. It’s a good feeling.”
He also revealed his mom cried ‘for a week’ after finding out but eventually understood his position.
The canoeist said he made more than six figures on OnlyFans but it was never his dream to do so.
“I don’t want to just be an influencer. My dream was always to do something bigger,” he said, adding that he remains focused on his canoeing career.
Paddle UK said the interim action against the athlete ‘was taken to ensure the integrity of the investigation and to safeguard other athletes, staff, and volunteers due to the nature of the allegations,’ as per Sky News.
The statement added: “Paddle UK is committed to ensuring a safe and open environment for all, and interim action under the Athlete Disciplinary Policy is only taken where necessary and proportionate.”
UNILAD has contacted Paddle UK for comment.
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