Volleyball player and rapist on the way to the Olympic Games in Paris

Steven van de Velde of the Netherlands during day 6 of the Beach World Champs Tlaxcala 2023 at the Tlaxcala Plaza de Toros on October 11, 2023 in Tlaxcala, Mexico. (Photo by Pablo Morano/BSR Agency/Getty Images)

(NewsNation) — Dutch beach volleyball player and convicted rapist Steven van de Velde will compete in the Paris Olympics but will not be housed with other athletes, the country’s Olympic Committee has decided.

According to the NL Times, this is a measure by the Dutch Olympic Committee*Dutch Sports Federation (NOC*NSF) aimed at ensuring peace and quiet among other residents of the Olympic Village during the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

Van de Velde confessed in 2016 that he raped a 12-year-old British girl three times in 2014, when he was 19. Van de Velde, now 29, met the victim on Facebook, traveled to her, gave her alcohol and had sex with her – all despite knowing her age.

A British court allowed him to serve his four-year sentence in the Netherlands, but the athlete only spent a year in prison before being released. Van de Velde then restarted his volleyball career.

NOC*NSF told BBC Sport: “Following his release, Van de Velde sought and received professional counselling. He demonstrated self-awareness and self-reflection to those around him, both privately and professionally.”

The organization defended its decision to send him to the Games as their country’s representative, telling NL Times: “NOC*NSF regrets the impact of the unexpected renewed attention on all those suffering trauma due to sexual offenses and inappropriate behavior.”

“In the interest of all stakeholders, no further announcements will be made on this matter,” NOC*NSF added.

Van de Velde will not speak to journalists during the international sporting event, which takes place from July 26 to August 11.