Dutch team spokesman on Steven van de Velde’s silence towards the media: “We are protecting a convicted child molester so that he can practice his sport in the best possible way”

A Dutch beach volleyball player serving a prison sentence for having sex with a 12-year-old girl played his first game at the Olympics on Sunday and received mixed reactions at the Eiffel Tower Stadium. Steven van de Veldewho was convicted of rape in 2016, and his playing partner, Matthew Immerslost their opening match against Italy.

Immers then appeared before the press alone, breaking with the traditional approach of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

After the game, the Dutch team spokesman said John Van Vliet was asked whether van de Velde’s silence from the press was an attempt to protect a convicted child rapist.

“We are protecting a convicted child molester so that he can play his sport to the best of his ability and participate in a tournament for which he has qualified,” van Vliet said, according to the Associated Press.

He then gave a more detailed answer.

“The general issue of conviction for sexual offenses and sex crimes is definitely more important than sport,” said van Vliet. “In his case, we are dealing with a convicted person who has served his sentence and then done everything he can to be able to compete again.”

The Associated Press analyzed van de Velde’s background in the case as follows:

Van de Velde, now 29, was sentenced to four years in prison after being found guilty of raping a girl he allegedly met online. He served 13 months in prison.

Following his release, the Dutch Olympic Committee announced that Van de Velde met the conditions to return to competitive sport following his conviction and resumed his career in 2017 “after an intensive, professionally supervised process”.

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Dutch officials reiterated that the aim was to keep van de Velde away from making statements to the press in order to focus on the sporting competition.

“We want to talk about sport, especially about him,” said van Vliet. “We are very aware that bringing Steven here is not about his sport and his performance. We are here to create an environment for all our athletes where they can perform well.”