Convicted child molester Steven van de Velde is booed at his Olympic debut

A participant in this year’s Olympic Games convicted of child abuse was greeted with boos during his debut on Sunday morning (July 28).

Steven van de Velde, an athlete of the Dutch team, was competing in the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris and was taking part in the preliminary round of the men’s beach volleyball tournament when he was booed by the crowd.

The 29-year-old athlete was sentenced to four years in prison in March 2016 after admitting three counts of rape of a 12-year-old child.

Steven van de Velde was booed by the crowd (Joris Verwijst/BSR Agency/Getty Images)

According to his own statements, van de Velde travelled to the UK in 2014 when he was 19 years old to meet the underage victim, with whom he had spoken via Facebook.

He has admitted three counts of raping the girl.

Although van de Velde was found guilty, he only served a twelve-month prison sentence and was then released early.

Van de Velde’s participation in the Games has sparked fierce controversy, with many baffled as to how the sex offender was chosen in the first place.

However, the Dutch Olympic Committee continues to believe that van de Velde has been successfully rehabilitated and deserves his place.

On Sunday, van de Velde travelled with his teammate Matthew Immers for their match against the Italian athletes Alex Ranghieri and Adrian Carambula.

There was no cheering at his introduction, but there were some boos from the crowd.

Van de Velde served a 12-month prison sentence (Joris Verwijst/BSR Agency/Getty Images)

Why was Steven van de Velde allowed to take part in the Olympic Games?

Despite the fierce reactions, Pieter van den Hoogenband, team boss of the Netherlands, commented on the controversial move and defended his decision to let van de Velde start.

The former world swimming champion stressed to the press that “measures” had been taken to make it easier for the criminal to take part in the games. This included a general ban on interviews with the media.

Van den Hoogenband also announced that van de Velde would be staying in separate accommodation outside the Olympic Village, where all other participants were staying.

He told Dutch broadcaster NOS this week: “Steven has been active in international sport and the world of beach volleyball for a long time.

“He has participated in World Championships, European Championships and World Championships, but then you see that things around the Games are different. That things around the Games are exaggerated.”

The coach even went so far as to say that van de Velde “deserves” the support of the spectators.

“I care about all athletes and try to support them. That includes Steven and Matthew (Immers),” he continued.

Van de Velde made his debut on Sunday morning (Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

What did Steven van de Velde’s teammates say?

Van de Velde’s teammate Matthew Immers also told the publication that the criminal had been like a “second father” to him during training.

“It’s a shame that people talk about him like that. I know the Steven of today and I’m happy about it,” he said.

“He is a very good partner for me. We have fun and good company on and off the pitch, that’s the most important thing for me.”

After news of van de Velde’s participation in the Games broke last month, the sex offender told the press he was “not happy” that this “dark phase” of his life had resurfaced.

He said: “This is obvious, but I also understand that this is only part of it. In 2016 and after, several Dutch media outlets also paid attention to the story.

“I understand that this may attract international media attention ahead of the biggest sporting event in the world.”

According to the BBC, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) stated that individual committees were responsible for selecting athletes.

IOC spokesman Mark Adams said: “They made a statement and made it very clear that there are many security measures, special additional security measures.”

If you have been affected by any of the issues described in this article and would like to speak to someone in confidence, call the Rape Crisis England and Wales Helpline on 0808 500 222, which operates 24 hours a day. If you are currently at risk or need urgent medical help, you should call 999.