Convicted Rapist Steven van de Velde Faces Mixed Reactions at Olympic Debut
Convicted child rapist Steven van de Velde made his Olympic beach volleyball debut amid a chorus of cheers and boos in Paris. The Dutch athlete, who was sentenced to four years in prison in 2016 for raping a 12-year-old British girl, is competing alongside his partner Matthew Immers.
Ranked 10th globally, Van de Velde and Immers faced off against Italy’s Alex Ranghieri and Adrian Carambula, ranked 25th, at the Eiffel Tower Stadium. Despite their higher ranking, the Dutch pair lost 2-1.
As Van de Velde and Immers entered the stadium, they received a mixed reception from the crowd. While both athletes were met with applause, Van de Velde individually faced boos from spectators. The atmosphere was tense as fans expressed their divided opinions on his presence.
An online petition demanding Van de Velde’s ban from the Olympics garnered 90,000 signatures before his first match. His participation has drawn criticism from various women’s and safeguarding groups. Fans interviewed by BBC Sport expressed discomfort with his inclusion. A British fan acknowledged Van de Velde’s honesty and the fact that he served his time but suggested an alternative athlete could have avoided the controversy. A German fan was shocked, stating that Van de Velde’s presence contradicted the Olympic spirit.
Conversely, a Dutch fan supported his participation, arguing that Van de Velde had been punished and deserved to move on with his life. Immers, his playing partner, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing their hard work and Van de Velde’s character during their two years of collaboration.
Van de Velde is not staying in the Olympic village and will not engage with the media post-match. Extra security measures were in place upon his arrival in Paris. Reflecting on his past in interviews with Dutch media, Van de Velde acknowledged his actions as his biggest mistake and expressed deep regret.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has stated that the selection of athletes is the responsibility of individual national committees. The Dutch Olympic Committee (NOC) confirmed that Van de Velde met all guidelines set by the Dutch Volleyball Federation for athletes to return post-conviction. The NOC emphasized that Van de Velde had undergone a specialist treatment program and rigorous assessments, concluding that there was no risk of reoffending.
Mark Adams, an IOC spokesperson, conveyed the organization’s stance, stating they were not comfortable or happy with the situation but respected the NOC’s decision.
BBC Sports News Correspondent Laura Scott reported from the Eiffel Tower Stadium, noting the controversy surrounding Van de Velde’s selection. Many fans from various countries expressed their opposition, while Dutch fans were either supportive or reluctant to comment.
Van de Velde and Immers are set to compete next against Chile’s Marco and Esteban Grimalt on July 31 at 15:00 BST.
