Sent to jail for raping a child, Dutch beach volleyball player qualifies for Paris Olympics representing the Netherlands.

 Dutch Olympic Chief Responds to Backlash Over Athlete’s Past Conviction

The Netherlands’ Olympic chief has expressed surprise at the backlash following the selection of Steven van de Velde, a Dutch beach volleyball player who was imprisoned for raping a child a decade ago, to represent the country at this year’s Olympics.

Van de Velde, now 29, was sentenced to four years in prison in 2014 for raping a 12-year-old girl, according to British media. He was released in 2017 and has since returned to competitive sports. Van de Velde is set to represent the Netherlands in beach volleyball at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.

"He has been active in international sports, the beach volleyball world, for a long time," said Pieter van den Hoogenband, the Netherlands’ chef de mission, in an interview with Dutch broadcaster NOS. "He has played in World Cups, European Championships, and World Championships, but things are different around the Games. Things are exaggerated around the Games."

Van den Hoogenband's remarks follow public reactions to van de Velde’s selection, including comments from other Olympic participants. 

Australian chef de mission Anna Meares stated, "If an athlete or staff member had that conviction, they would not be allowed to be a member of our team. We have stringent policies on safeguarding within our team."

Michel Everaert, general director at Nevobo, the Dutch Volleyball Federation, acknowledged van de Velde’s history when his selection was announced in late June. "He was convicted at the time according to English law and has served his sentence. From then on, we have been in constant contact with Steven, who has now been fully reintegrated into the Dutch volleyball community," Everaert said.

Van de Velde served part of his sentence in England before being transferred to the Netherlands. He resumed playing volleyball in 2017. In 2018, he told national broadcaster NOS, "I did what I did. I can’t take it back, so I will have to carry the consequences. It is the biggest mistake of my life."

Everaert added, "He is proving to be an exemplary professional and human being, and there has been no reason to doubt him since his return." The federation noted that van de Velde was aware this “black period in his life” would resurface but is "obviously not happy about it."

Van de Velde expressed gratitude for the opportunity, saying, "I understand that in the run-up to the biggest sporting event in the world, this can attract the attention of international media. Because of the second chance I got from my parents, friends, acquaintances, and colleagues, who accepted me again after the biggest misstep of my then young life."

Nevobo and the Dutch National Olympic Committee (NOC) have supported van de Velde, consulting experts who assessed his chance of recidivism as "nil." "After his conviction and sentence, Steven van de Velde returned to the highest level of sport step-by-step under the expert guidance of probation and coaching, among others. He has been participating in international tournaments again since 2017," Nevobo stated.

The Dutch NOC noted that van de Velde’s return to professional sport followed its guidelines, which outline the conditions under which athletes can return after a conviction. "Van de Velde now meets all the qualification requirements for the Olympic Games and is therefore part of the team," the committee stated.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) told CNN that the nomination of individual team members, following qualification on the field of play, is the responsibility of each respective National Olympic Committee. They referred further inquiries to the Dutch NOC.

Ju’Riese Colon, CEO of the US Center for SafeSport, expressed concern, saying, "We are deeply concerned that anyone convicted of sexually assaulting a minor could participate in the 2024 Olympic Games. With teams from around the world about to convene in Paris, many of which include minor athletes, this sends a dangerous message that medals and money mean more than their safety. Participation in sport is a privilege, not a right."