The IOC approved the Netherlands’ inclusion of convicted rapist Steven Van de Velde in the Paris Games. Van de Velde, who served 13 months of a four-year sentence for raping a 12-year-old girl, has sparked outrage, with a petition calling for his exclusion gaining nearly 90,000 signatures.
In the latest turn of events associated with the Paris Olympics 2024, sensational news has emerged regarding the participation of a convicted Dutch rapist participating in the Olympic games.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) expressed its satisfaction on Saturday with the Netherlands Olympic team’s explanation regarding the inclusion of a convicted rapist Steven Van de Velde in the Paris Games. The committee has confirmed that the athlete will participate in the games.
Who is Steven Van De Velde?
- Steven Van de Velde was a member of the Netherlands National Volleyball team as a teenager, winning the Under-20 Dutch National Championships in 2011.
- In 2016, he was convicted on the count of child rape of a 12 years old girl in 2014 when he was 19 years old, he was sentenced to four years in prison.
- He served 13 months of his four-year prison sentence, part of which was in Britain before being transferred back to the Netherlands, where his sentence was reduced.
- Steven van de Velde, the convicted rapist is a member of the Dutch’s beach volleyball team now.
Public Perception
- Since Steven qualified for the Olympics and the Netherlands’ decision to include him, there has been significant outrage.
- The decision of IOC permitting Steven to participate in the games is being highly criticized by women activists and sports rights groups.
- A Change.org petition has been started, garnering nearly 90,000 signatures as of Friday, calling for the IOC to “exclude” Steven Van de Velde from the Olympics.
Response from IOC and Netherland Olympic Committee
- The IOC said that nominating team members is solely the responsibility of each country’s Olympic committee.
- The Netherland Olympic Committee (NOC) stated that Steven has met the conditions to return to competition after a conviction and resumed his career in 2017 following an intensive professionally supervised process.
- The NOC has posted a statement on their website ensuring a safe sporting environment for all Olympic participants.
- Steven has been provided an alternative accommodation in Paris outside the Olympic Village and has been banned from talking to the media.
While individual National Olympic Committees select their athletes, the International Olympic Committee maintains ultimate authority, possessing the power to revoke the credentials of any athletes, coaches, or officials. With the IOC’s and NOC’s approval, Steven van de Velde is all set to take centre stage on Sunday.
