Dutch Olympic chiefs defend selection of volleyball player who was rapist and attacked British girl | World News

Steven van de Velde was convicted of the “planned, calculated” rape of a young British girl in 2016. He was sentenced to four years in prison but only served part of his sentence before returning to his home country – which is now supporting him to compete in the Olympic Games this summer.

Dutch Olympic chiefs have defended their decision to select a volleyball player who raped a British girl.

Steven van de Velde was sentenced to four years in prison in 2016 for the rape of a British girl.

He reportedly met the girl online before attacking her.

After serving part of his prison sentence in England, he was sent back to the Netherlands where his sentence was adjusted to Dutch law.

The Dutch Volleyball Association (Nevobo) said the 29-year-old Van de Velde had “proven himself to be an exemplary professional and human being and there has been no reason to doubt him since his return”.

They added that he had their “full support” and had sought professional counselling following his release.

Meanwhile, the country’s Olympic Committee said Van de Velde had met all qualification requirements for the Olympic Games “and was therefore part of the team.”

The statement added that both the association and the Dutch Olympic Committee and the International Volleyball Federation “rely on the opinion of experts who consider the likelihood of a relapse to be zero.”

Velde himself said in the statement released by Nevobo: “I understand that this can attract international media attention in the run-up to the biggest sporting event in the world. I cannot undo it, so I will have to face the consequences. It was the biggest mistake of my life.”

In a statement to Sky News, the Survivors Trust said: “The fact that Van de Velde has been allowed to continue his career after admitting ‘the biggest mistake of his life’ is further evidence of the shocking tolerance we show towards child sexual abuse.”

“The rape of a child was planned, calculated, involved international travel and will undoubtedly leave its victim with lifelong trauma and irrevocably change the course of her life.”

“As a society, we must begin to adopt a zero-tolerance attitude towards this heinous and costly crime.

“His lack of remorse and empathy for his victim is appalling and the fact that his colleagues and the Olympic Committee are allowed to present him to a young audience as an athlete to look up to is deeply disturbing.”