Volleyball athlete, convicted for committing rape against a 12-year-old girl, poised to compete in the Paris Olympics.
In a shocking turn of events, Steven van de Velde, a Dutch beach volleyball player, has been allowed to compete in the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics. This decision has stirred widespread controversy due to Van de Velde's previous conviction for sexually abusing a 12-year-old girl in Milton Keynes, UK, in August 2014[1].
Van de Velde was jailed in 2016 for the heinous crime and was sentenced to four years. However, he served only 12 months of his sentence before being transferred to the Netherlands to complete the remainder[2]. After his release, he sought and received professional counselling.
In interviews, Van de Velde expressed regret for his actions, stating that he can't reverse them and will have to bear the consequences[3]. Despite losing his sports career and being branded a rapist, he returned to professional sport immediately after his sentence and has competed in multiple international matches since 2018.
The Dutch Olympic Committee (NOC*NSF) has defended its decision to allow Van de Velde to compete, insisting that he has met all the criteria for the Games[1]. However, the fact that a rapist is being allowed to compete in the Olympics has sparked outrage, with many calling it shocking and abhorrent[4].
It is important to note that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has stated that the nomination of individual team members is the sole responsibility of each respective National Olympic Committee[5]. Judge Francis Sheridan, who presided over Van de Velde's trial, also emphasized the potential Olympian status of the athlete and the victim being a 12-year-old child[6].
Meanwhile, the controversy surrounding the Paris 2024 Olympics has led to French protesters threatening to poo in the Seine, highlighting another layer of controversy surrounding the Games[7].
Elsewhere, discussions about 'RuPaul's Drag Race' being considered as the queer community's Olympics have emerged, with the potential cancellation of the show having significant impacts[8].
References: [1] Dutch Olympic Committee supports Steven van de Velde's participation in Paris 2024 Olympics [2] Dutch beach volleyball player Steven van de Velde to compete in Paris 2024 Olympics despite rape conviction [3] Steven van de Velde: 'I can't reverse what I've done, I'll have to bear the consequences' [4] Outrage as convicted rapist Steven van de Velde is allowed to compete in Paris 2024 Olympics [5] IOC clarifies that nomination of individual team members is the sole responsibility of each respective National Olympic Committee [6] Judge Francis Sheridan emphasizes the potential Olympian status of Steven van de Velde and the victim being a 12-year-old child [7] French protesters threaten to poo in the Seine over Paris 2024 Olympics [8] RuPaul's Drag Race being considered as the queer community's Olympics, potential cancellation could have significant impacts
The controversial decision of the Dutch Olympic Committee to allow Steven van de Velde, a convicted rapist, to compete in the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics has sparked widespread outrage in the realm of general-news and crime-and-justice. Conversely, discussions around 'RuPaul's Drag Race' being considered as the queer community's Olympics have emerged in the sports sector, with the potential cancellation of the show having significant impacts on this domain.
