Steven van de Velde, a Dutch beach volleyball player who was imprisoned for raping a 12-year-old girl a decade ago, has been selected to represent the Netherlands at the upcoming Paris Olympics.
Van de Velde, now 29, served a four-year prison sentence starting in 2014 and was released in 2017. Despite his criminal record, he has been chosen to compete in beach volleyball at this summer’s Olympic Games.
Michel Everaert, the general director of Nevobo, the Dutch Volleyball Federation, acknowledged van de Velde’s past but emphasized his reintegration into the sport. Everaert stated that Nevobo consulted extensively with the Dutch National Olympic Committee (NOC), the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB), and van de Velde before allowing his return to competitive play.
“Steven served his sentence and has been in constant contact with us since his release,” Everaert said. “He has fully reintegrated into the Dutch volleyball community and has proven to be an exemplary professional and human being.”
Van de Velde expressed remorse for his past actions in a 2018 interview, admitting to his mistake and acknowledging the lifelong consequences. “I did what I did. I can’t take it back, so I will have to carry the consequences,” he said.
In a recent statement, van de Velde expressed gratitude for the second chance given to him by his family, friends, and colleagues, as well as the Dutch volleyball federation. “I understand that this attention is inevitable given the upcoming Olympics,” he said. “I am thankful for the opportunity to play this beautiful sport again.”
Nevobo and the Dutch NOC supported van de Velde’s return, noting that they consulted experts who assessed his risk of reoffending as negligible. “Steven van de Velde returned to the highest level of sport under expert guidance,” Nevobo stated. “He meets all the qualification requirements for the Olympic Games.”
However, this decision has sparked significant controversy. Critics argue that allowing van de Velde to compete sends a dangerous message. Ju’Riese Colon, CEO of the US Center for SafeSport, expressed deep concern about his participation in the Olympics, especially with many minor athletes’ present. “This sends a dangerous message that medals and money mean more than the safety of athletes,” she said. “Participation in sport is a privilege, not a right.”
The International Olympic Committee deferred responsibility to the Dutch NOC, stating that team member nominations are the responsibility of each respective National Olympic Committee.
