Volleyball athlete previously convicted of raping a 12-year-old child prepares for competition at the Paris Olympics.
In an unexpected turn of events, Steven van de Velde, a Dutch beach volleyball player, has been cleared to represent the Netherlands at the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics, despite being convicted of raping a 12-year-old girl in 2016[1][2][3]. This decision has sparked widespread outrage and disbelief.
Van de Velde, who served 12 months of his four-year sentence, has since returned to professional sport and qualified for the Olympics[7]. His nomination, however, has been met with strong criticism from many quarters.
The crime, which took place in August 2014, saw Van de Velde travel from Amsterdam to Milton Keynes, UK, where he met his victim on Facebook[5]. Judge Francis Sheridan, who presided over the case, emphasised the stark contrast between the two parties involved, stating, "We have a potential Olympian on one side, and a 12-year-old child on the other"[8].
Despite the gravity of the crime, Van de Velde has demonstrated self-insight and reflection, both privately and professionally[4]. After his release from prison, he sought and received professional counselling[9]. Prosecution and defence expert Linda Strudwick stated that there is genuine remorse from Van de Velde[6].
However, the International Olympic Committee has remained silent on the specific case of Van de Velde[10]. The nomination of individual team members for the Olympics is the sole responsibility of each respective National Olympic Committee[11]. The Dutch Olympic Committee insists that Van de Velde has met all of the criteria for the Games[2].
It's important to note that little is known about the details of the case or the impact on the victim[12]. This lack of transparency has added to the controversy surrounding Van de Velde's participation in the Olympics.
The decision to allow a convicted rapist to compete in the Olympics has been met with shock and disapproval by many. As the Games approach, this controversy continues to cast a shadow over the event.
[1] https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/olympics/50756690 [2] https://www.reuters.com/article/us-olympics-2024-netherlands-volleyball/netherlands-olympic-committee-says-rapist-van-de-velde-meets-criteria-for-games-idUSKBN2B62ZA [3] https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/olympics/news/steven-van-de-velde-paris-2024-olympics-rapist-beach-volleyball-netherlands-b1988406.html [4] https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/07/20/steven-van-de-velde-rapist-olympics-beach-volleyball-netherlands/ [5] https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks- Bucks-42777897 [6] https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9840047/Rapist-Steven-van-de-Velde-shows-genuine-remorse-Olympic-hopeful-tells-court.html [7] https://www.reuters.com/article/us-olympics-2024-netherlands-volleyball/netherlands-olympic-committee-says-rapist-van-de-velde-meets-criteria-for-games-idUSKBN2B62ZA [8] https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/olympics/news/steven-van-de-velde-paris-2024-olympics-rapist-beach-volleyball-netherlands-b1988406.html [9] https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9840047/Rapist-Steven-van-de-Velde-shows-genuine-remorse-Olympic-hopeful-tells-court.html [10] https://www.reuters.com/article/us-olympics-2024-netherlands-volleyball/netherlands-olympic-committee-says-rapist-van-de-velde-meets-criteria-for-games-idUSKBN2B62ZA [11] https://www.olympic.org/news/nomination-of-individual-team-members-for-the-olympic-games [12] https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/olympics/50756690
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