Convicted Child Rapist Qualifies For 2024 Paris Olympics; Fans Outraged

The 2024 Paris Olympics is, once again, at the center of controversy as a convicted child rapist has made the beach volleyball team and is set to represent the Netherlands at the biggest sporting event in the world.

Steven Van de Velde, 29, was sentenced to four years in prison in 2014 for raping a 12-year-old girl. He pled guilty to three counts of rape against a child. It was later revealed he met the girl after traveling from Amsterdam in August 2014.

He was released in 2017. Seven years later, despite his past, Steven Van de Velde will compete in the 2024 Paris Olympics.

According to BBC, Van de Velde served part of his sentence in England before being transferred to the Netherlands. He was later released and resumed playing in 2017.

Despite being a convicted rapist, Steven Van de Velde has been selected to represent the Netherlands in beach volleyball for this summer’s Olympic Games in Paris.

“We know Steven’s history,” Michel Everaert, general director at Nevobo, the Dutch Volleyball Federation, said in a statement, per CNN.

After speaking extensively with the Dutch National Olympic Committee (NOC), the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB), and Van de Velde, they decided to allow the volleyball player to represent the Netherlands.

“He was convicted at the time according to English law and he 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 continued. “He is proving to be an exemplary professional and human being and there has been no reason to doubt him since his return."

In 2018, the Olympic contender broke his silence on his crime: “I did what I did. I can’t take it back, so I will have to carry the consequences. You can judge, of course. It is the biggest mistake of my life.”

To no surprise, social media users were not happy with the decision to allow Van de Velde. "A tale as old as time: rapist with a sporting talent given a free pass so he can continue his professional career," one X user wrote after hearing the news.

"A 4yr conviction wasn't enough, but then only served 1yr, and is now allowed to compete," another said. "That girl's life is forever changed because of this monster. How is this justice?"

"Utterly disgusting that the @Olympics are allowing Steven Van de Velde to compete," a third said. "He should be serving a life sentence, not competing for Olympic medals."

Following the news, Van de Velde broke his silence, telling the world that he is grateful for the chance to compete in the biggest sporting event in the world.

“I understand that in the run-up to the biggest sporting event in the world, this can attract the attention of international media,” the 29-year-old said. “Because of the second chance I got from my parents, my friends, acquaintances, and colleagues, who accepted me again after the biggest misstep of my then young life."

“I am also grateful to the Dutch volleyball federation because they offered me, with clear conditions and agreements, a future in this beautiful sport again," he continued. "But I also think back to the teenager I was, who was insecure, not ready for a life as a top-class athlete, and unhappy inside because I didn’t know who I was and what I wanted.”

While the Dutch National Olympic Committee and  the International Volleyball Federation have defended their decision to allow the 29-year-old compete, Ju’Riese Colon, CEO for the US Center for SafeSport told CNN that the organization was “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,” she added.

The 2024 Paris Olympics kick off on July 26.