British canoeist is suspended from competing due to his ‘spicy content page’
Paddle UK has banned Kurts Adams Rozentals, who competes in the individual canoe slalom, from competing due to “allegations” about his ‘spicy’ content on social media.
Rozentals has been removed from Paddle UK’s World Class Programme, the UK Sport’s lottery-funded initiative that helps facilitate athletes’ courses for the Olympics.
Although Paddle UK hasn’t issued a statement yet clarifying the nature of the ban, the GB athlete suspects it is due to his posting on the adult content website, OnlyFans.
Rozentals has posted more than 39 videos, over 100 photos, and has accumulated more than 10,000 likes on the platform. In total he has earned more than £100,000 in the four months he has posted on OF.
The athlete said he was called in April by a UK Paddle representative, telling him he had been suspended from competing, and that he could no longer contact any of the other athletes or staff involved with the programme.
“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.
Rozentals created his OnlyFans account in January 2025 to help fund his training programme, as the 16,000 annual grant that athletes on the programme receive, just didn’t suffice.
“I don’t know how much you need but it’s certainly not £16,000,” said Rozentals.
“When you have to cover rent, travel, food… and most athletes who train full-time are all living in London.
“They’re very fortunate to have parent backing, I wasn’t. I never had the ability to move to London because of financial struggles so I was always doing the travel from the East Midlands, where I live, to London, back-and-forth, back-and-forth.”
Paddle UK explains that Rozental’s suspension is an “interim action” and a “neutral act designed to protect all parties”, rather than a disciplinary action.
“The investigation has been referred to independent investigation service Sport Integrity,” the governing body said.
It added: “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.”
Examples of gross misconduct include “offensive use of social media” and “indecent, offensive or immoral behaviour”, according to Paddle UK’s Athlete Disciplinary Policy.
Rozentals believes he shouldn’t have to choose between financial security and his Olympic dream.
“This is the hardest decision that I’ve ever faced in my life,” said Rozentals.
“It’s a tough decision but unless something changes in the way athletes are paid I don’t see a way of working with Paddle UK”.
LISTEN: You Must Be Jokin’ podcast – listen to the latest episode now!
