NZ athlete turns new tricks in Olympic bid

THERE’S fundraising, and then there’s fundraising.

The New Zealand Olympic Committee has told brothel owner and Olympic taekwondo hopeful Logan Campbell to drop the pimp act or risk losing a place on the Olympic team.

When Campbell’s controversial enterprise became public last July, it provoked a mix of outrage and support in New Zealand. He’s using proceeds from his brothel to fund his bid for the 2010 Olympics, but the Olympic Committee says he has violated their values.

He received a letter on Tuesday threatening legal action.

“Based on the Olympic values of excellence, friendship and respect, we would place your actions as totally inconsistent with these values,” it said.

“Your open solicitation of ‘clients’ for your ‘business’ while using the Olympic or Olympian connection must cease immediately, or the NZOC will be forced to consider taking legal action.”

But Campbell insists he is not doing anything wrong, that his business and fundraising efforts are as legitimate as any other.

“At the end of the day I feel like I’m not exploiting anyone. No one has to be here, we’re not forcing anyone to be here, they’re here on their own free will,” says Campbell.

But the Olympic Committee told television station 3 News if Campbell keeps using the Olympic connection to publicise the brothel, his chances of making the 2012 games will get the red light.

The letter from the New Zealand Olympic Committee claims Campbell’s use of his business as an Olympic fundraiser is nothing but a smokescreen for his brothel. But what the letter does not address and what Campbell will remind them of, is that the business is completely legal.

Campbell is now threatening to take legal action of his own.