Dutch volleyball star Steven van de Velde, a convicted youngster rapist, is slated to compete within the Paris Olympics this week … and the IOC is now going through critical stress to research how he was in a position to be included within the Video games regardless of his disgraced previous.
Van de Velde allegedly raped a 12-year-old again in 2014 — when he was 19. Authorities claimed he initially met the woman on-line — after which flew from Amsterdam to London a short while later to have sexual relations along with her — this regardless of him being conscious of her age. In 2016, he was convicted of rape and sentenced to 4 years in jail.
Nonetheless, after serving 12 months behind bars in Britain, he was transferred to the Netherlands, the place he was resentenced. Roughly a month later, he was launched. Following his time served, he instructed a neighborhood media outlet he was not a pedophile.
The Dutch Volleyball Affiliation then allowed him to return to competitors — which finally led to him qualifying for this summer season’s Video games, alongside his companion Matthew Immers.
The IOC, although, is now going through backlash for permitting him to step foot on the sand on the picturesque competitors court docket close to the Eiffel Tower … with Ciara Bergman, the CEO of Rape Disaster England & Wales, calling for an official probe into the matter.
“In case you can rape a baby and nonetheless compete within the Olympics, regardless of all athletes signing a declaration promising to be a task mannequin, that’s simply stunning,” Bergman mentioned, in response to The Guardian.
“How did we get right here? How did we get to a spot the place raping a baby is seen as much less vital than the medal somebody may win on the Olympics? It’s simply extraordinary. I feel there needs to be some type of investigation into this and the way it was allowed to occur. It needs to be a second for actual pondering and actual change.”
The Dutch Olympic Committee instructed BBC it would proceed to face by its choice to incorporate Van de Velde, who officers say has “sought and acquired skilled counseling” for the reason that conviction.
“Van de Velde has constantly remained clear in regards to the case which he refers to as probably the most vital misstep of his life. He deeply regrets the implications of his actions for these concerned.”
Pieter van den Hoogenband, Chef de mission for the 2024 Netherlands Olympic staff, additionally identified that Van De Velde has performed in a number of competitions for the reason that conviction, together with World Cups.
Van De Velde — who will reportedly not be talking with media in Paris — will face off in opposition to Italy on Sunday within the Preliminary Section on the Eiffel Tower Centre Court docket.
