Olympian Opens Brothel to Fund 2012 Bid

By Drew Nelles, Newser Staff

Posted Jul 12, 2009 3:12 PM CDT

(Newser) – A New Zealand athlete has opened a brothel to finance his Olympic aspirations, the BBC reports. Logan Campbell just wants to stop asking his parents for money—his Beijing efforts cost $150,000, and he hopes to start training again in 2011 with $300,000 from the “gentleman’s club.” "Pimps are more tough-type guys,” the taekwondo athlete insists. “I'm an owner of an escort agency."

New Zealand legalized prostitution in 2003, but the country’s Olympic officials could still quash Campbell’s dreams. "Selection takes into account not just performance but also the athlete's ability to serve as an example to the youth of the country," one says. And what do the 23-year-old’s parents think? "Mum was hesitant but she met the girls," Campbell says, but then “realized they were just normal people supporting their kids and stuff."

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Workers are pictured in a Berlin brothel. (AP Photo/Franka Bruns)

New Zealand's Logan Campbell, red, competes in the Beijing preliminary matches. Campbell has opened a "gentleman's club" to finance his future Olympic endeavors. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)

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Mum was hesitant but she met the girls, a couple came over to her house and she was sweet... She realised they were just normal people supporting their kids and stuff. - Logan Campbell

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