- He served only 12 months of his four-year sentence
- Van de Velde has acknowledged his past mistake
- This has raised questions about athletes with criminal records
A Dutch beach volleyball player, Steven van de Velde, who was convicted of raping a 12-year-old British girl in 2016, has qualified to compete in the Paris Olympics.
Van de Velde, 29, served only 12 months of his four-year sentence and resumed his volleyball career in 2018 after undergoing counseling and meeting the Dutch Volleyball Federation’s guidelines for athletes with criminal records.
The Dutch Olympic Committee (NOC) has confirmed that Van de Velde has met all qualification criteria for the Olympics, stating that he has demonstrated self-insight and reflection.
Van de Velde has acknowledged his past mistake, saying it was the “biggest mistake of my life.” The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and other organizations have been contacted for comment.
This development has raised questions about the Olympic movement’s stance on athletes with criminal records and the potential impact on the sport’s reputation.
