Unease over selection of Dutch beach volleyball player convicted of rape of minor

Convicted in 2016 of raping a 12-year-old girl in the United Kingdom, Steven van de Velde has been selected for the Paris Games. At his request, he will stay in “different accommodation” from the other athletes.

This is a case that is causing a lot of talk in the Netherlands and elsewhere. The Dutch Olympic Committee (NOC*NSF) published a press release on Wednesday 17 July to react to the uproar caused over the past three weeks by the selection of beach volleyball player Steven van de Velde for Paris 2024. The latter had admitted to the rape of a 12-year-old girl, committed in the United Kingdom in August 2014, and was sentenced two years later to four years in prison after admitting the facts.

“The NOC*NSF is implementing concrete measures to ensure a safe sporting environment for all participants at the Olympic Games following the participation of Steven van de Velde”writes the Dutch committee. Among them, the athlete will benefit at his request from a “different accommodation” and will not have “no contact with the media during his stay in Paris”.

The Dutch committee’s decision to select him has been denounced, particularly in the United Kingdom. “Van de Velde’s presence on the Dutch Olympic team is completely disrespectful and calls into question the survivor of her crimes. Her participation sends the message to everyone that sporting prowess trumps crime.”said Kate Seary, director of the British NGO Kyniska Advocacy, which works to protect women in the world of sport.

“The Committee regrets the impact of the unexpected increase in attention, particularly on social media, on people suffering from trauma related to sexual offences and transgressive behaviour.”responds the press release of NOC*NSFSteven van de Velde, who was 19 at the time of the incident, had met the victim on Facebook and flown from Amsterdam to meet her in Milton Keynes, north of London. During his trial in a British court, he explained that he knew her age.

The beach volleyball player served part of his four-year prison sentence in the UK before being transferred to the Netherlands, where he was eventually released in 2017. “In 2018, he returned to the top international level after being convicted. His return was possible following a specialist treatment programme and in accordance with the conditions set by the NOC*NSF for athletes convicted of a criminal offence,” adds the Dutch committee, supporting his presence at Paris 2024 with his teammate Matthew Immers, like the Dutch Volleyball Federation (Nevobo).

“Van de Velde has fully committed to meeting all requirements and has met all rigorous risk assessment thresholds, controls and due diligence”adds the instance, specifying that “Experts said there was no risk of recurrence.” “We know Steven’s storydeclared Michel Everaert, secretary general of Nevobo, at the end of June. He was convicted at the time under English law and he served his sentence. He has proven himself to be an exemplary professional and human being, and there is no reason to doubt him since his return.”

“The nomination of team members after qualification on sporting criteria is the sole responsibility of each national Olympic committee,” a spokesman for the International Olympic Committee (IOC) reminded Reuters on July 8. The IOC, however, remains the only body that can refuse or withdraw accreditation before or during the Olympic Games.