- Steven van de Velde, the Dutch beach volleyball player, has a conviction for child rape.
- During his Olympic debut in Paris on Sunday, he faced some boos from the crowd.
- At 29 years old, Van de Velde received a four-year prison sentence back in 2016.
As the venue for the games opened its doors, an artist began working on an oil painting, capturing the scene at this picturesque location, a man-made beach near the Eiffel Tower.
On Sunday morning, the sun finally emerged, illuminating the area as upbeat music played and people enjoyed breakfast croissants while arriving for their first Olympic volleyball experience. Despite the festive atmosphere, the presence of Van de Velde, a convicted child rapist, cast a shadow over the event.
Upon entering the court, he was met with boos. He won the coin toss, tossed some sand into the air, and chose ends with his partner Matthew Immers. Unfortunately, they lost to the Italian duo ranked 25th, which felt like a minor victory in the context of justice.
No officials attended the match, likely wanting to avoid being associated with Van de Velde. There is already a petition advocating for his removal from the games.
In 2014, he was found guilty of raping a 12-year-old in Buckinghamshire. He is participating in the Olympics after being granted early release from prison and deemed by Dutch selectors as having served his time.
While the crowd’s disapproval lessened as the match progressed, it’s hard to overlook the severity of Van de Velde’s crimes, particularly when considering the presence of alleged dopers and animal abusers in the games. If Charlotte Dujardin was dismissed for being a risk to horses, how can Van de Velde, who flew from Amsterdam to commit such a heinous act against a child, be seen as a legitimate athlete?
Among the 10,714 athletes present, Van de Velde is the only one granted special permission not to engage with media. John van Vliet, the team’s press officer, was clear that protecting a child rapist’s image is not a good look. His rationale? ‘We are ensuring that a convicted child rapist can perform at his best in a tournament he qualified for. We know that if we focus on Steven, it won’t be about his sport and performance.’
And what about the message conveyed to victims of sexual abuse who are understandably upset by his inclusion? ‘I have no message,’ Van Vliet stated.
The Dutch team exhibited a troubling lack of empathy. Nearby, their journalists challenged international media for making too much of the situation.
At a chaotic press conference, Immers appeared, accompanied by three French bodyguards concerned for his safety. Although Immers committed no crime, he faces association stigma and mentioned how they ‘do not share accommodations’ in the Olympic Village.
‘I’m disappointed by the attention it has drawn,’ the 23-year-old expressed. ‘I’ve known him for three or four years, and we’ve participated in many tournaments together.’
‘We’re upset that this has become such a significant issue because we worked hard for two years to qualify. We didn’t agree with it, but we discussed it and decided to enjoy the Olympics as much as possible, with certain guidelines in place.’
All athletes are required to sign a declaration accepting their roles as models before the games. However, Immers defends his partner’s character. ‘What happened in the past is behind us. Steven is a good example of growth; he has served his time and is now very kind. It’s important to recognize that people can change. We’re focused on enjoying this experience and advancing to the next round.’
As they prepare to enjoy the celebration, it’s important to remember the victim, now in her twenties, who is reported to have attempted to take her own life. The troubling reality lurking beneath the grandeur of France’s most iconic landmark is evident.
