Controversy flares up as convicted rapist Van de Velde makes his Olympic debut

Steven Van de Velde, a convicted rapist, makes his debut for the Dutch beach volleyball team at the Olympic Games.

The 29-year-old’s participation in Paris 2024 and his representation in the Dutch national team has caused a great deal of controversy. Van de Velde will play his first match against Italy, together with Mathew Immers.

Van de Velde has publicly expressed regret and called the crime horrific.

“I can’t take it back, so I have to face the consequences. It was the biggest mistake of my life,” he said.

However, critics, including Kate Seary, co-founder and director of Kyniska Advocacy, which focuses on protecting women in sport, argue that Van de Velde’s inclusion sends an unfair message that athletic talent outweighs criminal behavior.

“His participation sends a message to everyone that athletic achievement is more important than crime,” Seary said.

Dutch chef de mission Pieter van den Hoogenband expressed sympathy for Van de Velde and stressed that he is not trying to downplay his beliefs. “He is not going to downplay his beliefs. We have to respect that and help him as a member of the team to be able to perform,” den Hoogenband said.

The story

Van de Velde was sentenced to four years in prison in 2016 after being found guilty of raping a 12-year-old British girl in August 2014, whom he had met on the social media platform Facebook.

He committed this crime in Milton Keynes, en route from Amsterdam. After only 12 months in prison, he resumed his volleyball career and was eventually selected to play for the Dutch national team for the Olympic Games in Paris in 2024.

Selection policy of the Dutch NOC

The Dutch Olympic Committee (NOC) stated that Van de Velde’s return to competition met all guidelines from the Integrity Register of the Dutch Volleyball Association (NeVoBo).

These guidelines outline the conditions for athletes returning to volleyball after a conviction. According to the NOC, Van de Velde has passed all required assessments and deeply regrets his actions.

Global backlash

However, this decision has not diminished the global outrage.

Australian Olympic team chief Anna Meares said her country would not select such athletes. “We have strict safeguarding rules and someone with that background should not be part of our team,” Meares said.

Organisations including the Sport and Rights Alliance Athletes Network for Safer Sports, The Army of Survivors and Kyniska Advocacy have called on the IOC to ban Van de Velde from the Olympic Games in Paris.

Seary of Kyniska Advocacy criticized the decision, saying: “Van de Velde’s presence on the Dutch Olympic team is a complete disrespect and disempowerment of the survivor of his crimes.”

Julie Ann Rivers-Cochran of The Army of Survivors added: “An athlete convicted of child sexual abuse, regardless of country, should not be allowed to compete in the Olympic Games.”

Joanna Maranhao of the Athletes Network for Safer Sports also voiced her concerns, stating that Van de Velde’s participation is harmful to the victim. “Athletes who compete at the prestigious level of the Olympic Games are often seen as heroes and role models – Van de Velde should not be given this honour,” Joanna said.