Convicted child molester represents the Netherlands at the Olympic Games in Paris

A convicted child rapist will participate in the Olympic Games in Paris.

Steven van de Velde, 29, who was called up to the Dutch national beach volleyball team last month, was sentenced to four years in prison in Britain in 2016 after raping a 12-year-old girl two years earlier, when he was 19, Reuters reported.

Similar to the United States, in England rape of a minor is defined as a casual sexual act in which one of the two persons is younger than the required age to consent to the act.

After serving part of his sentence in the UK, he was transferred to the Netherlands, where his sentence was adjusted to Dutch legal norms.

Van de Velde has been competing in beach volleyball since his release in 2017. Despite the ugly optics and criticism from human rights groups, he apparently has the support of Nevobo, the country’s volleyball federation.

“We know Steven’s background…” said Michel Everaert, General Director of Nevobo. “He was convicted under English law at the time and has served his sentence. Since then, we have been in constant contact with Steven, who is now fully integrated into the Dutch volleyball community.”

“He is proving to be an exemplary professional and human being and since his return there has been no reason to doubt him. We fully support him and his participation in Paris, he and Matthew deserve it.”

In 2018, van de Velde told national broadcaster NOS: “I did what I did. I can’t take it back, so I will have to face the consequences. You can of course judge. It is the biggest mistake of my life.”

The Netherlands, which has won one medal in the Olympic history of beach volleyball, is one of six nations represented by two teams in the men’s tournament.

His reception in Paris has raised concerns among many stakeholders.

Ju’Riese Colon, CEO of the U.S.-based Center for SafeSport, said in a statement sent to CNN that the organization was “deeply concerned that any person convicted of sexual abuse of minors could participate in the 2024 Olympic Games.”

“The fact that teams from all over the world are meeting in Paris, including many underage athletes, sends a dangerous message that medals and money are more important than their safety. Participation in sport is a privilege, not a right,” she added.

The beach volleyball tournaments are among the most popular tournaments of the Summer Games. The men’s and women’s tournaments take place from July 27 to August 10 in the Eiffel Tower Stadium on the Champ de Mars.