Volleyball player who takes part in the Olympics and was convicted of raping a 12-year-old will be housed separately from the athletes

The Dutch Olympic Committee NOC*NSF was forced to take additional measures in the run-up to Steven Van de Velde’s participation in the Olympic Games.

In 2016, Van de Velde confessed to three counts of child rape and was sentenced to four years in a British prison.

In 2014, the Dutch-born athlete flew to the UK to meet a young girl he had met on Facebook.

Van de Velde, now 29, was sentenced to four years in prison in 2016. (Pablo Morano/BSR Agency/Getty Images)

The girl from Milton Keynes was only 12 years old at the time of their meeting. Despite her age, Van de Velde had sexual relations with her.

Two years later, he was convicted of raping a child. He received a four-year prison sentence, of which Van de Velde only served twelve months.

Van de Velde has now qualified for this year’s Olympic Games in Paris – a decision that has met with much criticism due to the 29-year-old’s criminal past.

The Dutch Olympic Committee (NOC*NSF) addressed people’s concerns last month, saying: “After 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 volleyball star admitted to three counts of rape of a child. (Mario Hommes/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)

It further stated that Van de Velde’s return to sport complied with the guidelines set out by the Dutch Volleyball Association (NeVoBo) in the organisation’s “Guidelines Integrity Record”, which sets out the conditions for athletes to return to competition after a conviction.

While the NOC*NSF maintained its decision to allow Van de Velde to compete, it has now been forced to take further measures and reportedly ensured that the volleyball player remains separated from his Dutch fellow athletes.

On this issue, the NOC*NSF told the NL Times: “The NOC*NSF has taken these measures after discussions with the beach volleyball player and his teammates.”

“Several other measures concern, among other things, the care of the beach volleyball players. In the interests of those affected, no further announcements will be made in this regard.”

The Paris Olympics begin on Friday, July 26. (Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)

The umbrella organization further expressed the hope that the decision would “help to reassure the participants in the games.”

It continues: “NOC*NSF regrets the impact of the unexpected renewed attention on all those suffering trauma as a result of sexual offenses and inappropriate behavior.”

The Olympic Games begin next week on Friday, July 26, and run until Sunday, August 11.

UNILAD has contacted the NOC*NSF for further comments.

If you are experiencing any of the issues described in this article, you can call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800.656.HOPE (4673), which is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or you can chat online at online.rainn.org.