Flavor Flav, Ohanian step in to pay US discus thrower's rent

PARIS: Discus thrower Veronica Fraley could focus on the Paris Olympics when her rent was paid after the American's public plea for financial help led to her rescue by two surprising sources.

Hip-hop star Flavor Flav and Alexis Ohanian, the Reddit co-founder and husband of tennis great Serena Williams, split the cost of Fraley's rent after her financial appeal.

Their generosity however could not help Fraley reach the Olympic discus final as she finished 13th in qualifying on Friday to miss the final by one spot.

Fraley posted on X on Thursday: "I compete in the Olympic Games TOMORROW and can't even pay my rent my school only sent about 75 per cent of my rent while they pay football players (who haven't won anything) enough to buy new cars and houses."

The 65-year-old Flav, who also sponsors the U.S. women's water polo team, was quick to respond, writing "I gotchu. DM me and I'll send payment TODAY so you don't have to worry bout it TOMORROW, and imma be rooting for ya tomorrow.

"LETZ GO,!!!"

Ohanian chimed in less than 10 minutes later.

"C'mon now! I'll split it with @flavorflav," Ohanian wrote, and then posted less than two hours later: "Update! It is done."

He posted a third tweet with a screen shot of a money transfer for US$7,760 (RM34,930) to Fraley.

Flav, the founding member of American rap group Public Enemy, added: "Man of my word, and Imma try and come by and support you in person tomorrow. LMK what time."

The 24-year-old Fraley's original plea has 18 million views on X.

Ohanian is also promising to pay US$60,000 to any of the 36 athletes entered in his Athlos NYC women-only track meet on Sept 26 if they win a gold medal in Paris. That is in addition to the US$60,000 the winners at his Athlos event will receive. - REUTERS