Convicted rapist Steven van de Velde was met with a hostile welcome during his debut appearance at the Paris 2024 Olympics. The athlete who represents the Netherlands in beach volleyball was roundly booed by the crowd at the Eiffel Tower Stadium.
Time in British Prison
The Dutch athlete had previously served a four-year sentence in a British prison for raping a 12 year old girl when he was 19. After serving part of his sentence, Van de Velde was transferred to the Netherlands where he eventually resumed his volleyball career in 2017.
Although some sections of the crowd tried to applaud him, the majority of spectators made their disapproval known as Van de Velde was introduced before his match against Italy— a match which he subsequently lost.
Support From Teammate and Dutch Olympic Committee
Responding to the controversy, the Dutch Olympic team said it has taken steps to de-escalate the impact of Van de Velde's participation. Some of the measures taken include relocating him to alternative accommodation in Paris, away from the highly revered athletes' village, and banning him from media interactions.
His teammate, Matthew Immers, who has been handling all post-match responsibilities, defended Van de Velde, stating that he has served his punishment and has shown personal growth. Reacting to questions on why the convicted rapist Van De Valde was not at the mixed zone to speak with journalists after the game, Immers said, “He’s not here because he just wanted to rest his mind about it and just focus on the game,” insisting that his teammate ‘did not notice’ the crowd reaction.
Another teammate at the Paris 2024 Olympics, John van Vliet, stated that the decision to shelter Van de Velde was made by the National Olympic Committee with permission from the International Olympic Committee. The team was asked if they were protecting a convicted child rapist, to which van Vliet responded: “We are protecting a convicted child rapist to do his sport as best as possible and for a tournament which he qualified for.”
Meanwhile the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has clarified in a statement that it played no role in the Dutch selection of convicted rapist Van de Velde. A spokesperson for the IOC, Mark Adams, admitted that there was some discomfort surrounding Van de Velde's participation but highlighted the rehabilitation efforts and safeguarding measures in place. "A crime occurred 10 years ago, a great deal of rehabilitation has taken place and strong safeguarding is in place." Adams stated.
Controversy Set to Continue
The controversy that has followed Van de Velde's inclusion has overshadowed the beach volleyball event at the Paris 2024 Olympics, and it has not slowed down going into his next match set against Chile. Despite the efforts put in place, the backlash remains strong, with many questioning the ethical implications of allowing a convicted rapist to compete on such a prestigious stage.
The IOC's decision as well as that of the Dutch Olympic Committee shows a desire to find a balance between acknowledging past crimes and recognizing rehabilitation efforts.
However, the public outcry indicates that, at best, this balance is difficult to achieve, especially in the heavily scrutinized environment of the Olympics. For as long as Van De Valde’s participation in the Paris 2024 Olympics continues, the debate over the balance between past crimes and second chances in sports, will continue to rage on.