Team GB canoeist Kurts Adams Rozentals has described his suspension from the sport's governing body as "brutal", revealing he received the news on April 4 while leading in points during the GB team selection series.
The individual canoe slalom competitor was removed from Paddle UK's World Class Programme following allegations over his social media content, which he believes relate to his OnlyFans account.
Rozentals explained that he created his OnlyFans account to address financial difficulties, having earned more than £100,000 since starting the platform in January.
The athlete criticised the £16,000 annual grant provided through Paddle UK's World Class Programme as insufficient.
Kurts Adams Rozentals was suspended for his social media content
GB NEWS
He told GB News: "So, I got the news on April 4 right in between the GB team selection series, which hurt even more because I was leading in points.
"But all of a sudden, I get a phone call being told you're banned from attending any public UK premises, banned from speaking with your teammates or staff, which was the most brutal part of it, and suspended.
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"I want to make it clear that I have tried things in the past. I've been living life on the edge for so many years. We moved from Latvia in 2010, living life on the edge.
"Since then, I've done everything from working freelance into long nights, working at the Amazon warehouse. I have sought out other alternatives, but in December last year, I got to a point, a realisation where I thought, is it worth it?
"Or can I find an alternative? And I knew of other GB athletes doing it. I didn't think it was going to cause outrage like this."
When asked by GB News host Tom Harwood to choose between the Olympics and continuing with his OnlyFans page, Rozentals described it as a difficult decision. "That's hard. That's hard to say," he responded.
He emphasised that his actions were motivated by broader concerns about athlete funding rather than personal gain. "I just want to make it clear this is not about me and OnlyFans.
"I'm trying to raise awareness about athlete funding that needs to be changed, and I'm hoping this will create the change that's required. Athletes shouldn't have to go to these measures."
Rozentals had previously told The Tab that the choice represented the "hardest decision" of his life, explaining his motivation stemmed from "years of struggle, years of living on the edge, my mum working 90 hours a week, having bailiffs at the door".
Kurts Adams Rozentals is a Team GB canoeist
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Paddle UK described Rozentals' suspension as "interim action" rather than disciplinary measures, stating it was a "neutral act designed to protect all parties [and] safeguard other athletes, staff, and volunteers due to the nature of the allegation".
The governing body said: "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."
The investigation has been referred to independent investigation service Sport Integrity. Paddle UK's Athlete Disciplinary Policy lists "offensive use of social media" and "indecent, offensive or immoral behaviour" as examples of gross misconduct, which could result in deselection from the programme.
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