Team GB stars joined raunchy content site to fund Paris Olympic dreams
To support their dreams of representing their country at the Olympic Games, many Team GB stars turned to a subscription platform to help raise much-needed funds
Many Team GB athletes turned to a risque subscription site to help reach the Olympic Games - including Noah Williams. The Hackney native made waves alongside Tom Daley, winning silver in the synchronized 10m platform event in Paris.
Before he starred in the French capital, he, like many other athletes, were doing whatever was necessary to raise funds for their training and other vital requirements. Williams and the likes of Jack Laugher MBE, Tokyo gold medallist Matty Lee, 10-metre diving ace Matthew Dixon and synchro diving champion Daniel Goodfellow turned to adult content site OnlyFans to help raise money.
While their content would not be classed as X-rated, it did show off their athletic physiques. Despite the controversial nature of OnlyFans, those who worked behind the scenes at Team GB were relaxed about the idea of their athletes using the platform to raise more money.
Insiders from Team GB and the diving authority Aquatics GB said: "These guys train so hard and there is little time for them to earn money outside the pool.
"They're all in incredible shape and if they can top up their money in this way then good luck to them. In an ideal world, they'd get paid more and not need to, but bosses are very relaxed about the OnlyFans work."
Williams, 23, has shared a lot of bold content with subscribers, including a racy video, while Laugher, 29, has posted a cheeky nude photo. The move comes as a response to the modest annual funding of £28,000 that divers receive.
Laugher offers his content at $10 (£7.77) monthly, with a yearly subscription available at a discounted price of £80.
The 2016 Olympic gold medallist explained his decision to set up the page in a previous interview, when he said: "I try and make extra money. I've got something people want and I'll happily cash in on that.
"I'm a bit of a hustler and I want a bit more money if I can. I was the first person to do it in our team.
"Dad was saying to me, 'You put stuff on Instagram for free but when the product is free, like Instagram is, you are the product'. So now I'm giving people stuff which is very similar to what I post online but it's for a small subscription fee."
The diver achieved his goal of competing in his third consecutive Olympics. He is hoping to increase his medal count in the men's synchronized 3m springboard and men's 3m springboard.