The Dutch Olympic committee’s decision to pick child rapist Steven van de Velde to compete for Paris 2024 bas baffled and caused anger among many.
But despite sexual offences limiting your chances of working in many professions, there are no rules stating a person with a criminal record cannot compete in the Olympic Games.
Convicted sex offender van de Velde could still achieve his sporting dreams this summer despite raping a British 12-year-old girl in 2016 and being sentenced to four years in prison.
The Dutch volleyball player, 29, served 12 months in England for the crime and was transferred to the Netherlands to serve another month before being released.
The sportsman was completely aware of the child’s age when he flew to meet her in England after the pair connected on Facebook.
Yet, despite the judge who handed him his sentence claiming ‘his hopes of representing his country are shattered’, van de Velde is still doing so in the Olympics.
Steven van de Velde took part in a practice session at the Champs de Mars park in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower
The Dutch volleyball player, 29, served 12 months in England for the crime and was transferred to the Netherlands to serve another month before being released
The 6’6′ Dutchman van de Velde (right) conducted a 60-minute work-out with doubles partner Matthew Immers (left), 23, without once removing his sunglasses
Van de Velde (centre) arrived in the French capital amid tight security yesterday on a Eurostar train from Rotterdam
The bare-chested athlete brandished several tattoos on his torso and arms
The training session took place in 25-degree noon heat and yards from where the French female volleyball team were working out
Van de Velde as he is taking a break to drink some electrolytes in the 25-degree noon heat at the volleyball training session
Why is he allowed to compete?
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) said the choice of athletes for the Olympics was selected by individual committees.
Meanwhile, the Dutch Olympic Committee (NOC) said van de Velde returned to the arena ‘following a specialist treatment programme’.
It said: ‘Van de Velde has fully engaged with all requirements and has met all the stringent risk assessment thresholds, checks and due diligence. Experts have stated that there is no risk of recidivism.
‘Van de Velde has consistently remained transparent about the case which he refers to as the most significant misstep of his life. He deeply regrets the consequences of his actions for those involved.’
Pieter van den Hoogenband, Netherlands chef de mission, also spoke about the situation while speaking on Dutch TV.
‘He’s not going to downplay it [his conviction],’ Van den Hoogenband said.
‘We have to respect that and help him as a member of the team to be able to perform.
‘He has been active in international sport and the world of beach volleyball for a long time.
‘He has participated in World Cups, European Championships […], but you see that around the Games it is different. Things are amplified around the Games.
‘We have taken good steps together. All the athletes are dear to me and I try to support them.’
The Olympian was seen stretching in the sand ahead of his training session with the Dutch volleyball team
Van de Velde celebrates during a game at the Beach World Champs in 2023
Van de Velde’s participation in the sport met guidelines set by the Dutch Volleyball Federation (NeVoBo), the NOC said.
Ciara Bergman, the CEO of Rape Crisis England and Wales, said ‘it is shocking that you can rape a child and still compete in the Olympics’.
Ms Bergma has urged the IOC to conduct an investigation into how this is possible.
Anna Meares, the Australian Olympics team chief, said a convicted rapist would not be selected by her country.
She said: ‘If an athlete or staff member had that conviction they would not be allowed to be a member of our team.
‘We have stringent policies on safeguarding within our team.’
