WATCH: Team GB star forced to choose between OnlyFans and Olympics after 'brutal' suspension

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Team GB canoeist Kurts Adams Rozentals has described his suspension from the sport's governing body as "brutal", revealing he received the news on April 4 while leading in points during the GB team selection series.The individual canoe slalom competitor was removed from Paddle UK's World Class Programme following allegations over his social media content, which he believes relate to his OnlyFans account. READ THE FULL STORY HERE

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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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