“To ban me from racing? Like I’m some criminal? That’s fu**ing insane.”

Those are the words of 22-year-old British canoeist Kurts Adams Rozentals, who says he’s been frozen out of elite competition by his sport’s governing body—not for doping, cheating, or misconduct, but because of content he posts on OnlyFans.

Rozentals, a silver medalist at the 2023 Under-23 World Championships in canoe slalom, was considered a strong contender for Team GB at the 2028 Olympics. But in early April, he says he received a call from a representative of Paddle UK, the national governing body, telling him he was banned from the final round of Olympic team selections. Worse, he claims, he was also barred from speaking to his coach, staff, and even his teammates.

The reason? His social media activity—specifically, his presence on OnlyFans.

A Controversial Call from Paddle UK

In a lengthy Instagram post to his 73,900 followers, Rozentals laid bare the news: “I got a call from a Paddle UK representative, where I was told that I’m banned from competing at the 2nd and final part of GB team selections… PaddleUK’s reasoning? My social media posts.”

OnlyFans is widely known for its adult content, although creators also use the platform for fitness, music, and lifestyle content. Rozentals admits that some of his content includes nude images sent to paying subscribers.

Governing Body Responds with Investigation

Paddle UK confirmed to CNN that Rozentals is currently under investigation, citing its Athlete Disciplinary Policy. The matter has been handed off to Sport Integrity, an independent investigative service.

Pending the outcome, Paddle UK says Rozentals is subject to “interim action,” which prohibits him from accessing team facilities or engaging with coaches, staff, and fellow athletes in the World Class Programme. The organization emphasized its commitment to maintaining a “safe and open environment,” and said such action is “only taken where necessary and proportionate.”

“I Did Whatever It Took”

Rozentals says his decision to join OnlyFans wasn’t about fame or rebellion—it was survival.

“I was sick of worrying how to pay rent,” he wrote. “I did whatever it took to never be in that position.”

Born in Latvia and raised in the UK, Rozentals says financial struggles have shadowed his journey from the start. “Money has always been a massive struggle,” he said. “Trying to live on the salary Paddle UK pays their athletes is near impossible.”

According to him, he earns just £16,000 ($21,500) a year from canoeing—barely enough to live on in the UK. Before turning to OnlyFans, he says he tried everything from freelance video editing to working night shifts at Amazon. “If it’s not illegal, I’ve done it,” he told CNN.

Since joining OnlyFans in January, Rozentals says he’s earned over £100,000 ($135,000). But he insists the platform wasn’t his dream—it was simply a way to fund his Olympic aspirations. “Doing OF was not my dream,” he said. “It was a way to support the ultimate goal of going to the Olympics.”

A Viral Plea

The Instagram post, which Rozentals hoped would go viral, aimed to highlight the financial realities many athletes face behind the scenes. He feels blindsided by the timing of the decision—smack in the middle of national team selections—and says the lack of communication since has left him feeling “treated like a criminal.”

Even his OnlyFans landing page carries a bittersweet tone. It reads:
“Dear mum and dad, please don’t click on this link. And to everyone else, hope you enjoy ;)”

What Comes Next?

With the investigation still ongoing, Rozentals’ future in competitive canoeing remains uncertain. But one thing is clear: he’s sparked a conversation about how we support—and judge—our athletes.

“If this was about performance, I’d be in the boat,” he said. “But it’s not. It’s about perception. And that’s what hurts the most.”

Source: CNN – British canoeist says he’s being forced to choose between Olympic dreams and OnlyFans

The post Olympic Hopeful Claims OnlyFans Got Him Banned from Team GB Canoeing appeared first on Journos News - Breaking News, World News, Top Stories, Todays Headlines and Flash Reports.

Mary Lou Retton, the beloved Olympic gymnastics champion who captivated the nation in 1984, was recently arrested on a DUI charge in her home state of West Virginia.

According to court records from Marion County, the 57-year-old was charged on May 17 with one count of driving under the influence of alcohol, controlled substances, or drugs. She was later released on a personal recognizance bond of $1,500. As of now, her representatives have not publicly responded to the incident.

The arrest comes just months after Retton made headlines for a serious health scare. In 2023, she was hospitalized with what her family described as a “rare form of pneumonia.” Her condition was critical at one point, and she spent time in intensive care.

“There was a time when they were about to put me on life support,” Retton shared in a candid 2024 interview on NBC’s Today. “This is serious, and this is life, and I’m so grateful to be here.”

Retton’s legacy as one of America’s most iconic athletes remains firmly intact. At just 16 years old, she became the first U.S. woman to win the Olympic all-around gymnastics title at the 1984 Los Angeles Games. Her perfect 10s in the floor exercise and vault during the final two rotations earned her the nickname America’s sweetheart. That year, she took home five Olympic medals—one gold, two silver, and two bronze.

Following her retirement from gymnastics, Retton continued to inspire as a motivational speaker and advocate for healthy living. She also served on the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports during President George W. Bush’s administration.

While her recent arrest has sparked public concern, many still remember Mary Lou Retton for her resilience, both as an athlete and in her personal health battles.

Source: FOX News – Olympic legend Mary Lou Retton arrested on DUI charge, records show

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