Story By: Juan Mayes, Sub Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Golder’s News And Sport
This World Cup gold medallist gymnast has revealed how she then lived on the streets before starting a career as a porn star.
Former World Cup gold medallist Verona van de Leur announced she is releasing a book entitled “Simply Verona: Breaking All The Rules” in which she tells her incredible story before and after gymnastics.
Van de Leur first entered the world of gymnastics at the Dutch National Championship in 2000 and in 2002 she won several medals, most notably the gold medal at the World Cup Final in Stuttgart in the floor exercise at the age of 16.
She also won bronze for the Vault and Uneven Bars in the same competition and Van de Leur was named “Dutch Sportswoman of the Year” for her impressive victories in 2002.
The gymnast won a silver medal at the World Championships (floor exercise) and three more silvers in the European Championships (Team, All-Around and Vault) all in 2002.
The news of her retirement from gymnastics on 19th June 2008 was not well-received by her parents Henk van de Leur and Sonja van de Leur.
Local media report the decision lead to the gymnast’s parents kicking her out of the house and keeping all the money she made during her gymnastics career.
Despite re-appropriating the money after a legal case, van de Leur and her boyfriend at the time spent the money very quickly which led to the couple living out of a car for two years.
According to Spanish newspaper “Mundo Deportivo” the gymnast thought “it was very romantic at the start but it was also difficult, especially in winter.
“Sometimes we could buy a loaf of bread for 50 cents and some butter. In summer we showered in showers at the beach and used wet towels to cool off.”
After she was offered the opportunity to participate in the adult film industry, van de Leur told local media: “You can open your own shop or something with a lot of money.
“I also thought about having my business, then I though, porn is just another job for me, but you have to have fun.”
Local media report Van de Leur wants to help children saying: “With the publication of my book and in light of everything that has happened in the world of gymnastics in the past years, it is time to start a new chapter in my life and share my experiences to help others.”
Local media report she intends to take up gymnastics again however it is unclear to what capacity she intends to re-enter the world of gymnastics.
The English version of the book is set to be released in early 2020.
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