Dismay at the selection of a child molester for the Olympics

People all over the world are stunned after the Netherlands nominated a child molester to compete in the Olympic Games.

Steven van de Velde, 29, was sentenced to four years in prison in March 2016 for the rape of a 12-year-old British girl. However, the sportsman only served 12 months of the sentence before being released.

The Paris Olympics will take place next month (July 26). (Mohamad Salaheldin Abdelg Alsayed/Anadolu via Getty Images)

The incident occurred two years earlier in 2014, and the then 19-year-old athlete met the child via Facebook.

He travelled to the UK and raped the child at an address in Milton Keynes.

In passing sentence, Judge Francis Sheridan 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.”

“Your actions have destroyed your life and if you had never come to England and committed these offences, you could have been a leader in your sport.”

And now the Dutch Olympic Committee has announced that the convicted sex offender will be in the Dutch beach volleyball squad for the upcoming Games in Paris, which begin at the end of next month (July 26).

Upon hearing the news, one Instagram user wrote: “Wow… so little time for a lifetime of horrific memories for the girl and her family.”

Steven van de Velde, 29, was sentenced to four years in prison in March 2016 for the rape of a 12-year-old British girl. (Pablo Morano/BSR Agency/Getty Images)

“Are you kidding me?!” he shouted at a second. “This is ridiculous. I hope the British Olympic Committee can find a way to stop this guy from taking part.”

Another added: “So inappropriate and unacceptable. Disgusting.”

And a final Instagram user wrote: “He should be banned for life!”

The Dutch Olympic Committee (NOC) has now addressed the concerns raised by Van de Velde’s participation.

The NOC told BBC Sport: “Following 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 NOC also said the convicted rapist’s return to sport complied with the guidelines set by the Dutch Volleyball Federation (NeVoBo) in the organization’s Guidelines Integrity Record, which sets out the conditions for athletes to return to competition after a conviction.

Tyla has contacted the Dutch Olympic Committee and asked for comment.

If you have been affected by any of the issues described in this article and would like to speak to someone in confidence, call the Rape Crisis England and Wales Helpline on 0808 500 222, which operates 24 hours a day. If you are currently at risk or need urgent medical help, you should call 999.