![The IOC says athlete selection rests with each country’s NOC following the controversy involving convicted rapist Steven van de Velde. GETTY IMAGES](https://cdn.statically.io/img/cdn.dmcl.biz/media/image/299319/o/Dutch+volleyball+player+Steven+Van+de+Velde.jpg)
The International Olympic Committee said it had no role in Dutch volleyball's decision to pick a convicted child rapist for the Paris Games: a selection criticised by several athlete advocacy organisations. Last month the Dutch Olympic Committee selected beach volleyball player Steven van de Velde —who was convicted of raping a 12-year-old girl in 2014— to represent the country in the Olympic Games.
In 2016, Van de Velde was sentenced to four years in prison in Britain after pleading guilty to three counts of rape of a minor and was placed on a permanent sex offenders registry in the U.K. He served part of his sentence there but was later transferred to the Netherlands where his sentence was adjusted to the standards of Dutch law and was released after just 12 months. Van de Velde has been competing in beach volleyball again since 2017.
A Dutchman convicted of paedophilia was allowed to take part in the Olympics. The IOC saw no problem.
— Aff (@Zhy9876510) June 29, 2024
Ten years ago, Steven van de Velde was sentenced to four years in prison for raping a 12-year-old girl and was released in 2017. A year later, he said he "did what he did" and…
Van de Velde and partner Matthew Immers were one of two men’s teams from the Netherlands that qualified for the beach volleyball competition at the Paris Games. Most beach pairs qualify for the 24-team Olympic field by earning points on the international tour; Van de Velde and Immers were 11th on the points list. The Dutch Olympic committee said Van de Velde met the conditions required to 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 said.
A tale as old as time: rapist with a sporting talent given a free pass so he can continue his professional career.
— David Challen (@David_Challen) June 26, 2024
Dutch volleyball player Steven Van de Velde admitted three counts of rape 12-year-old British girl in 2016, was sentenced to just 4 years, then allowed to return to… pic.twitter.com/QnxAntDtU6
The selection of athletes for the Olympics rests with each country’s NOC though the IOC does send individual invitations following the national nominations.
"The nomination of individual team members, following qualification on the field of play, is the sole responsibility of each respective National Olympic Committee," an IOC spokesperson said.
Being selected for the @Olympics is a privilege. Raping a child does not bring privileges, but for Steven van de Velde it has. He was selected to represent his country in the @Paris2024 Olympics.
— Emma-Jane Taylor (E-J) 🇬🇧 (@ejtayloruk) July 9, 2024
There is no other side of this story. He should step down, or be kicked out - we… pic.twitter.com/EJoFEHn0tG
This edition of the Olympic Games is set to host young Olympians around Van de Velde’s victim’s age; including 11-year-old Zheng Haohao and 12-year-old Vareeraya Sukasem. Several athletes and rights groups, including The Sports & Rights Alliance Athletes Network for Safer Sports, have opposed Van de Velde's inclusion: urging the IOC to prohibit van de Velde from participating, stating, "An athlete convicted of child sexual abuse, no matter in what country, should not be awarded the opportunity to compete in the Olympic Games". Kyniska Advocacy also stated that it undermined the survivor's experiences and suggested that sporting skill outweighs criminal behaviour.
"Van de Velde's presence on the Dutch Olympic team completely disrespects and invalidates the survivor of his crimes," said Kate Seary, co-founder & director of Kyniska Advocacy which works for the protection and respect of women in sports.
"His participation sends a message to everyone that sporting prowess trumps crime."