00:00Kurtz, this is a surprising story that has hit the press over the last 24 hours.
00:07When did you get the news that you were being kicked off the team?
00:11Yeah, so I got the news on 4th of April, right in between GB Team Selection Series,
00:17which hurt even more because I was leading in the points.
00:20But all of a sudden, I get a phone call being told,
00:23you're banned from attending any public premises,
00:26banned from speaking with your teammates or staff,
00:29which was the most brutal part of it,
00:31and suspended or whatever word you want to use.
00:35I think, though, Kurtz, that posting subscription-only, saucy content online
00:41might get you in a little bit of trouble, or did it not cross your mind?
00:46No, for sure, for sure.
00:47But I want to make it clear that I have tried things in the past.
00:50I've been living life on the edge so many years.
00:53We've moved from Latvia in 2010, been living life on the edge since then,
00:57done everything from working freelance long nights, working at the Amazon warehouse.
01:02I have seeked out other alternatives.
01:05But in December last year, I got to a point, a realisation,
01:08where I thought, is it worth it, or can I find an alternative?
01:12And I knew of other GB athletes doing it.
01:14I didn't think it was going to cause outrage like this.
01:16Yeah, because I was thinking, you know, a nice chap like you,
01:18who's obviously very talented with your sport, you could make some money doing,
01:22you know, like online fitness training or personal training and things like that
01:26that don't involve, you know, getting your kit off.
01:30No, for sure.
01:32I've been making content for like six, seven years now.
01:35Over a thousand of the pieces of content have been inspirational, motivational.
01:39I've visited over 30 schools in the UK,
01:42going to the hardest parts of the UK,
01:44inspiring kids from underprivileged backgrounds to get into sport.
01:47So I've done, I've tried that.
01:50But I don't know, I've found that in this day and age,
01:53unless you are smart or find some little controversial thing you can hold on to,
01:59you're not, it's going to be hard to get attention and sponsorships.
02:01It is interesting that you say that there are other Team GB athletes
02:05who do this on the side.
02:07Are they as public as you about sort of this being their profiles?
02:13Or do some famous athletes have a secret OnlyFans side hustle on the side?
02:19Yeah, no, for sure.
02:20I guess what separates me is the other athletes kind of do on the side where my competitive spirit has always been,
02:27if I'm going to do something, I want to do it to the best of my ability.
02:29And with OnlyFans comes crazy promotion.
02:34And I think that's where Battle UK have a problem.
02:37So quickly here, Kurtz, if you had to choose between the Olympics
02:40and continuing with your OnlyFans page, which one would you pick?
02:45That's hard, that's hard to say.
02:47I just want to make it clear this is not about me and OnlyFans.
02:49I'm trying to raise awareness about athlete funding.
02:51There needs to be change.
02:53And I'm hoping this will create the change that's required.
02:56Athletes shouldn't have to go to these measures.
02:58Well, I hope you stick with the sport.
03:01Kurtz, Adam, Rosenthal, thank you very much indeed.
03:03Team GB, Canoist.
03:05See, everyone's at this OnlyFans stuff now.
03:07I don't think it should be a problem.
03:09I don't approve.
03:10You can not approve.
03:11I mean, it doesn't hurt anyone, does it?
03:13Oh, I don't know.
03:13Well, the investigation has been referred to the Independent Investigation Service Sports Integrity.
03:19The governing body said it added,
03:20Paddle UK is committed to ensuring a safe and open environment for all.
03:26And the interim action under the Athlete Disciplinary Policy was only taken where necessary and proportionate.
03:31Paddle UK's Athlete Disciplinary Policy lists offensive use of social media
03:35and indecent offensive and immoral behaviour as examples of misconduct.
03:38See you next time.
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