British canoeist Kurts Adams Rozentals has been suspended by governing body Paddle UK following allegations related to his social media posts.
The individual canoe slalom competitor was removed from the World Class Programme in April, UK Sport's lottery-funded initiative designed to support athletes pursuing Olympic qualification.
Rozentals, who won individual C1 silver at the World Under-23 Championships in 2023, suspects the suspension stems from his OnlyFans account.
He received a telephone call from a Paddle UK representative informing him of the ban and instructing him not to contact programme staff or fellow athletes whilst an investigation proceeds.
British canoeist Kurts Adams Rozentals also runs an OnlyFans page
The athlete created his OnlyFans account in January 2025 to fund his training programme, finding the annual £16,000 grant from Paddle UK's programme insufficient for his needs.
Rozentals has posted 39 videos and over 100 photos on the adult subscription platform, accumulating more than 10,000 likes.
"I have been posting videos (on Instagram) that are consciously made to be edgy in order to drive conversions to my 'spicy content page' (on OnlyFans), to fund this ultimate dream of going to the Olympics," Rozentals told BBC Sport.
He claims to have earned more than £100,000 since establishing his account four months ago.
The financial pressures facing British athletes have forced Rozentals into an agonising dilemma between his sporting ambitions and economic survival.
"I don't know how much you need but it's certainly not £16,000," he explained, highlighting the inadequacy of current funding when covering rent, travel and food costs in London.
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"This is the hardest decision that I've ever faced in my life," Rozentals admitted.
He described years of financial struggle, with his mother working 90 hours weekly and bailiffs at their door.
"I'm going to find a way where we don't have to struggle, where my mum can enjoy her life and I'm able to put everything into this sport."
Paddle UK maintains the suspension represents interim action rather than disciplinary punishment, describing it as "a neutral act designed to protect all parties" and to "safeguard other athletes, staff, and volunteers due to the nature of the allegation".
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The governing body's Athlete Disciplinary Policy explicitly lists "offensive use of social media" and "indecent, offensive or immoral behaviour" as examples of gross misconduct potentially warranting de-selection.
The investigation has been referred to independent investigation service Sport Integrity.
Paddle UK states it remains "committed to ensuring a safe and open environment for all" and that interim action is "only taken where necessary and proportionate".
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