A top Dutch Olympic official has insisted convicted child rapist Steven van de Velde is not a “pedophile” amid widespread condemnation of the beach volleyball player's participation in this summer's Games.
The 29-year-old Van de Velde is a key member of the Dutch team competing in the men's beach volleyball tournament, which kicks off this afternoon on the Champs de Mars in the French capital.
In 2016, Van de Velde, who was 19 at the time, was sentenced to four years in prison. After pleading guilty to raping a 12-year-old British girl.
Empora van de Velde's name is still on the sex offender registry, and he has been rebuilt with the success of his volleyball career since his release from prison after serving just 12 months.
It even caused two more controversial discussion points in gaming, With the Dutch authorities repeatedly having to defend their controversial decision and voluntary stance.
In the email exchange he saw the guardA “concerned Briton” who has lived in the Netherlands for more than a decade decided to express his discontent to the Dutch Olympic Committee, even branding Van de Velde “a disgrace to the Dutch team”.
In response, a Dutch Olympic Committee spokesman declared: “Steven is not a paedophile (sic);” Do you really realise that the Dutch National Olympic Committee is sending someone to Paris who is a real cliff? No, it is not a cliff.
More specifically, in the email chain, the Briton in question was encouraged not to “rely on all the places” he reported the news.
A separate message from the Dutch official said: “We are taking steps to ensure that everyone can focus on our sports and games.
“There is no previous history for this beach volleyball player, who has participated in all international tournaments since 2018,” he added.
As such, the Dutch Olympic Committee* and the Dutch Sports Federation (NOC*NSF) ensure that “concrete measures” are in place to ensure a safe sporting environment for those competing in the Games.
“Van de Velde has fully engaged with all requirements and adhered to all stringent risk assessment, verification and due diligence requirements,” NOC*NSF said in a statement.
“Experts will confirm that there is no risk of recidivism. Van de Velde has consistently been transparent about the case, which he refers to as the biggest misstep of his life.
“He deeply regrets the consequences of his actions on those involved,” he added. He has been open about the personal transformation he has experienced as a result.
Isso see repository Paula Radcliffe apologises for defending decision to allow Van de Velde to competeDespite the accident he had in the past.
Radcliffe's comments were widely criticised on social media, with online user X describing his comments as “shocking”.
“I agree, and I can only apologise, that was not what I intended to say,” replied the former British Olympic runner – and three-time winner of the London Marathon.
“I assure you that this is not something that can be tolerated in any way. He was confused and responding to the order of Beni Lo Dos Jojos and I do not know why you wanted to sort him out. Again, I apologize.
“I don’t support his participation, I was confused because he was trying so hard to say he couldn’t be banned, he had already served his prison sentence.
“The ideal would be to ban athletes who do not advocate Olympic ideas and human fathers, but legally this cannot happen.
“But I apologize, I don’t want to separate him in any way and I don’t know why he said that half-hearted sentence.” I didn’t mean to.
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