Controversy is marring discussion about the upcoming Olympics over the participation of a convicted child rapist, with one high-profile athlete rolling back her comments appearing to endorse his participation.
Steven van de Velde, named in the Netherlands’ beach volleyball squad for Paris 2024, was sentenced to four years in prison in 2016 after admitting to three counts of rape against a child, Newsweek previously reported. He reportedly met a 12-year-old British girl on Facebook when he was 19 and traveled from Amsterdam to the U.K. where he had sexual relations with her before returning to Netherlands.
Van de Velde resumed his volleyball career when he was released in 2017, after serving 12 months of his sentence. He was selected in June for the Dutch Olympic team which caused a wave of criticism and concern from child protection groups.
Despite the backlash, the Dutch Olympic Committee has defended its decision to allow his participation, saying it’s down to the National Volleyball Federation, and he “meets all the qualification requirements.”
Most recently, former marathon world champion Paula Radcliffe has issued an apology after wishing him “the best of luck.”
The British athlete and BBC pundit made the comment in an interview with radio station LBC on July 24.
“I know that he is married now and has settled down. I think it’s a tough thing to do to punish him twice, and if he’s managed to successfully turn his life around after being sent to prison, and to qualify and to be playing sport at the highest level, then I actually wish him the best of luck,” she said.
She faced swift backlash on social media as a result, with many people expressing their disappointment regarding her comments. In response, Radcliffe posted a lengthy social media statement on Instagram and X, formerly Twitter, rolling back her comments.
“I am mortified that I expressed it so badly and didn’t condemn the rape out loud,” Radcliffe wrote.
“I do believe in second chances after serving punishment, but I think the Olympics should be for those who uphold the ideals,” she added. “I myself am shocked and disappointed at how I expressed this so badly. I am very sorry and should have done much better. I by no means meant to overlook the crime and meant to say those who don’t uphold ideals should be excluded but can’t be.”
Newsweek has reached out to Radcliffe and the BBC for comment.
The Dutch Olympic Committee (NOC) stated that Van de Velde’s return to the sport met guidelines set by the Netherlands Volleyball Federation (NeVoBo) in their Guidelines Integrity Record, which outlines conditions for athletes to resume competing after conviction.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) told Newsweek: “The nomination of individual team members, following qualification on the field of play, is the sole responsibility of each respective National Olympic Committee.”
“I understand that in the run-up to the biggest sporting event in the world, this can attract the attention of international media,” Van de Velde said in a statement posted on NeVoBo’s website. “I cannot reverse it, so I will have to bear the consequences. It has been the biggest mistake of my life.”
The IOC also stated that to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all participants they introduced “the most comprehensive package of mental health and safeguarding tools, initiatives and services,” stating: “When specific concerns are raised, additional safeguarding measures are implemented as per standard practice.”
Do you have a story we should be covering? Do you have any questions about this article? Contact LiveNews@newsweek.com.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
