The International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced on Saturday that it was satisfied with the explanations provided by the Netherlands Olympic team regarding the participation of convicted rapist Steven van de Velde in the Paris Games. Van de Velde will compete as planned. Steven van de Velde, who was named to the Dutch team for Paris last month, was sentenced to four years in prison in Britain in 2016 for the rape of a 12-year-old girl in 2014 when he was 19. After serving part of his sentence, he was transferred to the Netherlands, where his sentence was adjusted according to Dutch law. He has been competing in beach volleyball since 2017 and is set to participate in the men’s preliminary phase in Paris on Sunday.
“To characterize it as comfortable and happy would not be correct,” IOC spokesperson Mark Adams stated at a press conference when asked about the IOC’s stance on Van de Velde’s participation in the Olympics. “We have made it clear we have been in long conversations with the Dutch National Olympic Committee. A crime occurred 10 years ago, a great deal of rehabilitation has taken place and strong safeguarding is in place.”
Adams emphasized that the Dutch team has taken steps to mitigate the impact of Van de Velde’s participation by moving him to alternative accommodation in Paris, separate from the athletes’ village, and banning him from speaking to the media. “The athlete is not even staying in the village. We feel the NOC have explained their decision. Comfortable and happy, characterize it how you want, but the statement that they have given to us is correct and we will continue with the situation as it is.”
The selection of Van de Velde has sparked outrage among women’s and sports rights groups, who argue that the Dutch decision sends the wrong message. Despite this, the selection of athletes for the Olympics rests with each national Olympic committee, though the IOC retains the right to rescind accreditations of athletes, coaching staff, or officials. The Olympics are an invitational event, with the IOC extending invitations to all participants. As the situation stands, Van de Velde will compete under the conditions set by the Dutch National Olympic Committee and the IOC’s oversight.
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Source Agencies
