Dutch volleyball rapist’s partner DEFENDS him as a ‘good example’ after he was booed at his Paris Olympics debut

The beach volleyball partner of Steven van de Velde, a child rapist convicted in the Netherlands, has defended the disgraced star and stressed that he is a “really good example” to follow.

Van de Velde was booed when he was introduced to the crowd before his Olympic debut, which ended in defeat to Italy.

Accompanied by specially appointed security guards, he was escorted off the premises immediately after the game.

Dutch officials confirmed that he was the only athlete at the entire Paris Olympics who had special permission not to speak to the media.

In addition, he was accommodated in alternative accommodation outside the Olympic Village.

The decision was made by officials due to concerns about his safety.

Van de Velde was 19 when he raped a 12-year-old British girl after meeting her on Facebook and travelling from Amsterdam to Milton Keynes to commit the crime.

In 2016, he was sentenced to four years in prison after admitting to three counts of rape, but under Dutch law he only served 13 months.

Various rape charities and other protection organizations have strongly criticized his selection for the Paris Olympics.

But his playing partner Matthew Immers believes that Van de Velde continues to be a role model.

“I think Steven is a really good example because of the personality he is now,” he said.

“What’s past is past. He got his punishment and is really nice now.”

“For me, this is a great example of how much he has learned. Of course, what happened in the past is not good.”

Immers also criticized the attention that the Van De Velde case has attracted.

“We are disappointed that it is this big because we fought really hard for two years to qualify for this,” he said.

“But we are ready to fight and enjoy the Olympic Games.”

When handing down the verdict, the judge told Van de Velde: “Before you came to this country, you trained as a potential Olympian.

“Your hopes of representing your country are now a shattered dream.”

He quickly resumed his beach volleyball career and is now married with a small child.

The crowd in the beach volleyball arena booed and applauded Van de Velde at the same time as he entered the stadium to compete against Italy.

Later, the boos were even louder when he was introduced to the audience individually.