2024 Olympic Games in Paris: Convicted rapist booed at beach volleyball

A Dutch beach volleyball player convicted of raping an underage girl was booed by fans during his first match at the Paris Olympics, with his controversial selection putting the sport in the spotlight.

Steven Van der Velde, now 29, was sentenced to four years in prison in 2016 for the rape of an underage girl.

He entered the center court on Sunday morning with his teammate Matthew Immers to cheers and applause, with many orange-clad Dutch fans standing up and applauding the two.

However, when he was introduced individually over the loudspeaker, loud boos erupted from the crowd.

The player received the support of his country’s National Olympic Committee and gave his teammate Immers a warm hug before the start of the match.

But van der Velde’s selection has sparked outrage among women’s and sports safety groups.

Officials said the player would be separated from his teammates, would not be allowed to stay in the athletes’ village and would be prohibited from speaking to the media.

Ju’Riese Colon, executive director of the U.S. Center for SafeSport, said she was “deeply concerned that someone convicted of sexually abusing minors could compete in the Olympics.”

“When teams from all over the world meet in Paris, including many underage athletes, it sends a dangerous message that medals and money mean more than their safety,” she said.

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Van der Velde served part of his sentence in the UK and was then transferred to the Netherlands, where he was eventually released and began playing volleyball again in 2017.

But his nomination for the national team at the Paris Games put the popular sport under pressure.

“It makes a significant difference whether you get a second chance or are selected to represent your country at the Olympics,” says Sara Alaoui, founder of the Safe Space Club, a Dutch NGO.

“There is a stark contrast between returning to work and becoming an internationally celebrated figure whose past transgressions are conveniently forgotten and downplayed.”

She told AFP she was “deeply disappointed” with the Dutch Volleyball Association and its support for the player.

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Van der Velde and Immers will face Italian pair Alex Ranghieri and Adrian Ignacio Carambula Raurich in the first group stage of the competition.

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Van der Velde served part of his sentence in the UK and was then transferred to the Netherlands, where he was eventually released and began playing volleyball again in 2017.

But his nomination for the national team at the Paris Games put the popular sport under pressure.

“It makes a significant difference whether you get a second chance or are selected to represent your country at the Olympics,” says Sara Alaoui, founder of the Safe Space Club, a Dutch NGO.

“There is a stark contrast between returning to work and becoming an internationally celebrated figure whose past transgressions are conveniently forgotten and downplayed.”

She told AFP she was “deeply disappointed” with the Dutch Volleyball Association and its support for the player.