A high-ranking member of the Dutch Olympic committee has claimed in an email seen by the Guardian that a convicted child rapist on its beach volleyball team is not a paedophile.
A worried British citizen, who has lived in the Netherlands for over ten years, contacted the Dutch Olympic committee expressing that the inclusion of Steven van de Velde in the team is “a stain on the Dutch national side.” In response, a spokesperson for the Dutch Olympic committee stated: “Steven is NOT a paedophile [sic]; do you really believe that the Dutch NOC would send someone to Paris who poses a real risk? No, he isn’t a risk.”
Public outrage has been rising regarding beach volleyball player Van de Velde, who was convicted of raping a 12-year-old British girl in 2016. Earlier this week, calls were made for an investigation by the International Olympic Committee regarding how a convicted child rapist could be allowed to compete at the Paris 2024 Games. The IOC stated that the selection of athletes is the responsibility of individual committees.
Now 29, Van de Velde was sentenced to four years in prison in 2016 after admitting to raping the girl in Milton Keynes. He traveled to England to meet her in 2014, fully aware of her age, after meeting her on Facebook. He spent 12 months in a British prison before being transferred back to the Netherlands, where he was released after another month.
The backlash has overshadowed one of the Olympics’ most prominent events, taking place in an outdoor venue at the base of the Eiffel Tower. Van de Velde is scheduled to compete on Sunday.
In their statement, the Nederlands Olympisch Comité*Nederlandse Sport Federatie’ (NOC*NSF) mentioned that they have implemented “concrete measures” to ensure a safe sporting environment for all Olympic participants considering Van de Velde’s involvement. He has requested not to stay in the Olympic Village and to avoid media interaction.
The NOC*NSF remarked: “Van de Velde has fully complied with all requirements and met all rigorous risk assessment measures, checks, and due diligence. Experts have concluded there is no risk of recidivism. Van de Velde has consistently been transparent about the case, which he acknowledges as the most significant mistake of his life. He sincerely regrets the consequences of his actions for everyone involved. He has openly discussed the personal transformation he has undergone since.”
The concerned British citizen expressed that he was “shocked” by the reply he received after questioning the Dutch Olympic committee’s media strategy if Van de Velde were to win a medal. The individual, who prefers to remain anonymous, referred to Van de Velde as “a paedophile, and convicted child rapist,” inquiring about the views of his victim and her family regarding his participation.
In addition to disputing that he is a paedophile, the official encouraged him to read more about the case and not to “believe all the headlines.” The official added: “We are making strides to ensure that everyone can focus on sports, on the Games, and not on the past of this beach volleyball player, who has competed in all international tournaments since 2018.”
The Dutch NOC remains under criticism from organizations representing survivors of sexual abuse, with one group claiming the committee has not considered “the potential impact on survivors seeing a child rapist at the Olympics.”
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The Brave Movement, an organization of survivors of child sexual violence that is part of Together for Girls, stated they were not consulted by the Dutch Olympic committee. In an open letter, they noted that the child Van de Velde assaulted would face “lifelong consequences,” emphasizing: “Perpetrators move on, while those they abuse are left searching for healing and justice. We need a world centered on survivors, not on perpetrators.”
The Brave Movement further stated there is “still time” for Van de Velde to withdraw or for the Dutch Olympic committee to withdraw him. “We believe that is the only appropriate course of action,” they declared.
