Olympic Hopeful and OnlyFans Controversy
Olympic hopeful Kurts Adams Rozentals has voiced his stance against the disciplinary action taken by Paddle UK following his uploads to the content-sharing platform OnlyFans. The 23-year-old canoeist from the UK utilized OnlyFans starting December 2024 as a means to supplement his income during his athletic training. Between January and May 2025, Rozentals reported earning over $100,000 through the platform, far surpassing the $16,000 annual grant he received from Paddle UK.
Controversial Video Leads to Ban
The controversy centers around a specific video Rozentals shared on OnlyFans, which was deemed explicit by Paddle UK, prompting them to state that it harmed the sport's image. Rozentals, however, argued that the content was appropriate and paralleled what is often seen on platforms like Instagram, where the video remains unremoved. He defended his decision to use OnlyFans, citing the financial stability it provided him, allowing greater focus on his training toward the 2028 Olympics.
Impact on Athletic Career
The repercussions for Rozentals have been significant. Paddle UK's sanctions included barring him from competition and training participation, jeopardizing his aspiration for the 2028 Olympic Games. Rozentals responded to the ban by pointing out the contradiction between the conventional image Paddle UK wishes to maintain and his more provocative social media content, which he believes could attract more attention and potential sponsorship opportunities.
Rozentals' Response to the Backlash
In the wake of the ban, Rozentals has been forthright. "It’s obviously edgy content. I understand the image that they [Paddle UK] want athletes to portray," he stated. Despite acknowledging the mismatch in branding, Rozentals remains unapologetic, underscoring that his OnlyFans content, while controversial, included nothing illegal. This situation places him in a precarious position as he navigates the ongoing fallout and evaluates his future in his sports career.
