New Zealand -- A 23-year-old Beijing Olympian's funding had reportedly dried up and now he he might be missing out on the London Olympics in 2012. So the young man came up with a strange plan - he traded his taekwondo outfit for a suit and became ... a pimp, according to stuff.co.nz.
Together with his 20-year-old business partner, he recently launched a "high-class gentleman's club" (which in effect is a brothel) in Auckland, and the fighter hopes to get to London off the earnings from the business.
Hiss Beijing campaign cost about $150,000 in the preceding years. Most of the money came from his parents. The mans said he was sick of being a burden to his parents.
He received a $15,000 "performance enhancement grant" from a government sports funding body for his result in Beijing, but Taekwondo New Zealand has suspended the funding because the man has not been competing.
His plan is allegedly to take a couple of years off, hopefully earn up to $300,000 from the brothel, and launch his London bid in 2012. The man believes with that kind of money behind him, he will be a serious medal prospect.
But his unorthodox (to put it mildly) fundraising plan hasn't really gone down too well with his national body.
An official with Taekwondo New Zealand said that although this would not affect his membership, it would be taken into account when considering him for international selection.
"Selection takes into account not just performance but also the athlete's ability to serve as an example to the youth of the country," the official said.
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