Volleyball star Steven van de Velde — a convicted baby rapist — broke down in tears throughout his first interview since his controversial inclusion on this month’s Olympics … and he admitted he practically stop over the backlash he acquired.
The 30-year-old Netherlands athlete — who was jailed in 2016 for raping a 12-year-old lady when he was 19 — had dodged media all through his time in Paris … however on Tuesday, he confronted microphones, and bought emotional.
He defined to reporters that the constant boos and jeers he acquired whereas competing within the shadow of the Eiffel Tower on the Video games affected him … and he had moments the place he wished to drag out.
“I did one thing incorrect, 10 years in the past,” mentioned Van de Velde, who’s now married. “I’ve to just accept that. However, hurting individuals round me — whether or not it is [playing partner] Matthew [Immers], my spouse, my baby … that simply goes too far for me.”
“That is positively a second the place I believed, is that this price it?”
Van de Velde ended up staying within the competitors … and he and Matthew Immers bought to the Spherical of 16, earlier than they bowed out of the occasion in a loss to Brazil.
Van de Velde went on to say he understood the entire criticism … although he was adamant he is a modified man who’s realized from his previous.
“I am not the particular person I used to be 10 years in the past,” he mentioned.
