The 2026 Winter Olympics kick off with an Opening Ceremony on Friday, February 6. Fans can watch the big event on NBC and Peacock at 8 PM Eastern time. The network and its streaming platform will air Olympic events throughout the month until the Closing Ceremonies on February 22. Just hours before the Winter Games kick off, an athlete and OnlyFans star was suspended for violating the rules. Keep reading for the shocking details.
Olympic Medalist Turns To OnlyFans
The best athletes from hundreds of countries around the world gather every two years to compete in various events. This year’s Winter Olympics take place in Italy. Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo co-host the Games. But being an Olympic athlete doesn’t always come with money. For many athletes, it costs money.
One Olympic medalist turned to OnlyFans for financial help. The subscription-based social media platform typically features risqué photos and videos. Canadian pole vaulter Alysha Newman, 31, joined the platform in 2021. She won a bronze medal in the 2024 Summer Olympics and documented her time in Paris on the platform. But now she’s been suspended for violating the rules.
Suspended For Violation
Athletics Integrity Unit announced on Wednesday, February 4, that the Olympic medalist had been suspended. However, it wasn’t due to her OnlyFans account. The pole vaulter was suspended for violating the rule that required her to share her location. The “whereabouts rule” is part of the unit’s anti-doping policy.
“This is an unfortunate situation and Athletics Canada hopes to see Alysha Newman back as part of our National Team Program when she is eligible,” Athletics Canada said in a statement.
Alysha Newman Denies Doping
Alysha Newman made headlines in 2024 after twerking in celebration of her pole vault win. She took to social media to react to the news of her suspension. She denied any wrongdoing.
“[I’ve] never taken any enhanced drugs, I’ve never taken steroids, and the point of this suspension is simply a missed failure test of the whereabouts,” she said in an Instagram video.
She added, “I’ve never missed three in a calendar year since I’ve been 16 years old. So, I fell short this year, we’re in the process, we’re going to figure it out, and I will see you guys back on the track. I will continue to be a clean athlete in this sport, and I’m honored to be Canadian to represent Canada at the highest level.”
While she received some support for the suspension, many comments called her out for missing the required tests.
- “It’s not simply a missed test though is it ? It’s three missed tests like how’d you manage that”
- “Let’s hear the situations on why you missed 3”
- “What are the barriers that compromise your ability to comply with requirements as outlined? It’s a pattern- and an unbecoming one. Get it together.”
- “no excuse for whereabouts offence in this day and age. ‘Fell short’… sorry not buying it.”
Alysha Newman was not scheduled to compete in the 2026 Winter Olympics. However, she still competes in other tournaments. Hopefully, she can get reinstated soon.
Jennifer Havener grew up in a small town in Upstate New York. She earned her B.A in Writing & Literature from Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado. She always knew watching reality TV shows and soap operas, particularly ‘Days of Our Lives’, would come in handy someday. When she’s not writing, she’s playing with her dogs, Lola and Ruger
