The Netherlands Is Allowing A Convicted Child Rapist To Represent The Country At The Paris Olympics, Causing A Huge Controversy
The federation has defended its decision to let van de Velde represent the country at the Olympics, saying he has proved to be “an exemplary professional and human being”.
The Netherlands is allowing a convicted child rapist to represent the country at the Paris Olympics, causing a huge controversy.
Steven van de Velde of the Netherlands during Day 6 of the Beach World Champs Tlaxcala 2023 at Tlaxcala Plaza de Toros on October 11, 2023 in Tlaxcala, Mexico. (Photo credit: Getty)
29-year-old Steven van de Velde will play on the Dutch men’s beach volleyball team at the games in July.
Steven van de Velde of the Netherlands in the pool play match between Viacheslav Krasilnikov and Oleg Stoyanovskiy of Russia and Christiaan Varenhorst and Steven van de Velde of the Netherlands during the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour Major Series Vienna on Danube Island on August 1, 2019 in Vienna, Austria. (Photo credit: Getty)
In August 2014, van de Velde, who was 19 at the time, flew from Amsterdam to England to meet with a 12-year-old girl he had met on Facebook.
Steven van de Velde of Netherlands in action during the Men's Semifinals match against Michal Bryl and Grzegorz Fijalek of Poland during the FIVB World Tour. (Photo credit: Getty)
He gave the girl alcohol when her mother was out and then raped her several times.
Steven van de Velde looks on during the final of qualification for the German Championships 2020 on July 26, 2020 in Duesseldorf, Germany. (Photo credit: Getty)
He was found guilty of rape, sentenced to 4 years in prison and placed on the the UK’s sex offender registry for life.
Steven van de Velde looks on after the final of qualification for the German Championships 2020. (Photo credit: Getty)
After serving only one year of his sentence, van de Velde was transferred back to the Netherlands and released shortly after according to Dutch law.
Steven van de Velde of the Netherlands during Day 6 of the Beach World Champs Tlaxcala 2023 at Tlaxcala Plaza de Toros on October 11, 2023. (Photo credit: Getty)
When he was released in 2017, he denied that he was a “sex monster”.
Steven van de Velde of the Netherlands and Matthew Immers of the Netherlands during Day 2 of the Beach World Champs Tlaxcala 2023. (Photo credit: Getty)
The Dutch volleyball federation then allowed him to resume playing in international competitions.
Steven van de Velde looks on after the final of qualification for the German Championships 2020 on July 26, 2020 in Duesseldorf, Germany. (Photo credit: Getty)
The federation has defended its decision to let van de Velde represent the country at the Olympics, saying he has proved to be “an exemplary professional and human being”.
Steven van de Velde of the Netherlands during Day 6 of the Beach World Champs Tlaxcala 2023 at Tlaxcala Plaza de Toros. (Photo credit: Getty)
It added that van de Velde, who is now married and has a child, had gotten professional counselling after being released and had the federation’s full support.
Steven van de Velde of the Netherlands and Matthew Immers of the Netherlands with Juan Tassistro during Day 6 of the Beach World Champs. (Photo credit: Getty)
The decision to allow him to compete has been widely criticized by child protection groups and organizations working with sexual violence survivors.
Steven van de Velde of the Netherlands during Day 6 of the Beach World Champs Tlaxcala 2023. (Photo credit: Getty)
They condemned van de Velde’s lack of remorse and the message it sends about accountability.
Kassy Cho
