Dutch Team Protecting Convicted Child Abuser Steven Van De Velde So He Does His ‘Best as Possible’ at Olympics

The Dutch team is under scrutiny for shielding Steven van de Velde, a convicted child abuser, to optimize his Olympic performance. Take a look.

By Harshita Chawla

Updated on Jul 30, 2024 | 02:27 AM IST | 67.6K

Paris Olympics 2024

A new decision in the volleyball world has sparked debate. The updates regarding Dutch beach volleyball player Steven van de Velde, who served time in prison for having sex with a 12-year-old girl, made headlines. Velde took to the Olympic stage on Sunday, and the mixed responses at the Eiffel Tower Stadium were hard to bear as van de Velde and his partner, Matthew Immers, faced their opening match against Italy. Despite their efforts, the Dutch duo couldn't clinch a victory.

After the match, Immers alone faced the press, a break from the usual practice of both team members attending press conferences. This unusual move immediately raised eyebrows. Not just that, when asked if this decision was made to protect van de Velde, Dutch team spokesman John van Vliet's words added a snippet into the team's internal deliberations.

He adds, “We are protecting a convicted child rapist to do his sport as best as possible and for a tournament that he qualified for.”

Continuing the conversation, “The general matter of sex conviction and sex-related crime is definitely a more important issue than sport. In his case, we’ve got a person who has been convicted, who did his sentence, who did everything afterwards which he can do to be able to compete again.”

Van de Velde’s journey from conviction to competition

Steven van de Velde’s journey back to professional sports has been anything but straightforward. In 2016, 29-year-old Velde was convicted of raping a girl he reportedly met online and was sentenced to 4 years in prison.

After serving 13 months, van de Velde was released and simultaneously eligible to return to competition by the Dutch Olympic Committee. They asserted that he had met all the necessary conditions for his return, following an intensive and professionally supervised rehabilitation process.

The twist came in 2017 when Van de Velde had resumed his career, sparking significant controversy and debate within the sporting community.

Critics argue that allowing van de Velde to compete in the Olympics undermines the integrity of the event and sends a troubling message about the acceptance of athletes with serious criminal convictions. The Dutch Olympic Committee, however, stands by its decision, emphasizing the importance of rehabilitation and the athlete's right to resume his career post-sentence.

Balancing Sport and Ethics: A Delicate Act

Dutch officials have been clear that their primary focus is on van de Velde's performance and minimizing distractions. By keeping him away from the media spotlight, they aim to maintain the focus on the sporting competition rather than his past crimes. "We want to talk about sports, especially him," van Vliet explained. "We are very much aware that if we bring Steven out here, it won’t go about his sport and his performance. We are here to create an environment for all our athletes in which they can perform well."

This strategy, though designed to protect van de Velde and allow him to perform without additional pressure, has received mixed reactions. Some believe that athletes who have served their legal and rehabilitative obligations deserve a chance to compete. Others argue that including convicted criminals in global events like the Olympics is deeply problematic.

As the Olympics progress, the debate over van de Velde's participation highlights broader issues of rehabilitation, redemption, and the role of sports in society. While the Dutch team prioritizes ensuring their athletes can perform at their best, the ethical implications of including a convicted child abuser remain contentious. The situation underscores the ongoing tension between the principles of fair competition and the moral responsibilities of sporting institutions.

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