An Olympic Team GB hopeful has been slapped with a two-year ban after sharing an explicit video.
Kurts Adams Rozentals was initially suspended by Paddle UK in April and has now been deselected from the World Class Programme.
The canoe slalom athlete posted the clip to Instagram in March, featuring him performing a ‘sexual act’ on a plane. He has been accused of ‘intentionally’ misleading the press about his suspension from the governing body.
The 23-year-old claimed previously he was being forced to ‘choose between OnlyFans and the Olympics’, having only begun using the site to post ‘spicy’ content in a bid to fund his sports dreams. However, it was found by a disciplinary panel that Rozentals admitted to posting a video on Instagram that was ‘subsequently removed given its explicit nature’.
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Banned from all competition and training, Rozentals believes the punishment is ‘very extreme’, although he doesn’t regret the video.
“This ban would have never happened if athletes were funded properly,” he told BBC Sport. “And while I understand the video could be described as crazy, it was not illegal and certainly shouldn't be the reason for banning an athlete."
The canoeist said his most recent funding from Paddle UK was £16,000 per year but claimed that he had made over £100,000 from his social media videos between January and May.
The governing body said his admission of posting an explicit video was a breach of its disciplinary policy relating to ‘indecent, offensive or immoral behaviour’ and ‘offensive use of social media’.
Previously speaking out about his suspension, Rozentals said he didn’t know the reason but suspected it was linked to his having an account on OnlyFans.
However, the panel found that he had ‘intentionally misinformed the press’ with these comments.
Looking back now, Rozentals said he ‘probably wouldn’t’ post something like the explicit video that he did.
“But I remember the state of mind I was in when I did film it and post it. It was the first time in my life I saw real progress in my financial situation. It was the first time I was able to fund the training myself,” he continued.
"It was the first time I was able to get my mum something nice after her sacrificing everything in order to allow me to chase my dream. And it came from crazy videos like the one that got me banned.”
He added that he could see a ‘direct correlation’ between making ‘those types of videos’ and his ‘life situation improving’.
“I don’t regret it,” he added.
A statement from Paddle UK reads: "Paddle UK can confirm that in line with our Athlete Disciplinary Policy, a canoe slalom athlete has been de-selected from the World Class Programme and issued with a two year suspension which is back dated to the time of the offence.
"The decision was issued by a disciplinary panel following an independent investigation led by Sport Integrity and a disciplinary hearing where the athlete presented his case."
It also said the national governing body is: “Committed to ensuring a safe and open environment for all, and action under the athlete disciplinary policy is taken where necessary and proportionate".
Topics: Olympics, OnlyFans, Social Media, Sport
Jess Battison