Steven van de Velde, who raped a 12-year-old girl, ‘is not a paedophile,’ says Dutch official

A senior Dutch Olympic official has insisted that convicted child rapist Steven van de Velde is “not a paedophile” amid widespread condemnation of his participation in this summer’s Olympic Games.

Van de Velde, 29, is a key player in the Dutch team taking part in the men’s beach volleyball competition, which begins this afternoon on the Champs de Mars in the French capital.

In 2016, Van de Velde, then 19, was sentenced to four years in prison after pleading guilty to raping a 12-year-old British girl.

Although Van de Velde’s name remains on the sex offenders’ register, he was able to successfully resume his volleyball career after his release from prison after just 12 months.

His nomination proved to be one of the most controversial topics of discussion at the Games and Dutch officials were repeatedly forced to defend their controversial nomination decision.

In an email exchange seen by the Guardian, a “concerned Brit” who has lived in the Netherlands for over a decade expressed his unease with the Dutch Olympic Committee and described Van de Velde’s inclusion as a “stain on the Dutch national team”.

A spokesman for the Dutch Olympic Committee then stated: “Steven is NOT a paedophile (sic); do you really not believe that the Dutch NOC would send someone to Paris who IS a real risk? No, he does not pose a risk.”

As the email chain continued, the concerned Brit was urged “not to believe all the headlines” he read in the news.

A separate message from the Dutch official said: “We are taking measures to ensure that everyone can focus on the sport and the Games.”

“This is not the past story of this beach volleyball player who has participated in all international tournaments since 2018.”

The Netherlands Olympic Committee*Netherlands Sports Federation (NOC*NSF) has meanwhile assured fans that “concrete measures” are in place to ensure a safe sporting environment for those taking part in the Games.

“Van de Velde has fully complied with all requirements and adhered to all stringent risk assessment thresholds, controls and due diligence,” NOC*NSF said in its statement.

“Experts have stated that there is no risk of reoffending. Van de Velde has always acted transparently in this case, which he describes as the biggest mistake of his life.

“He deeply regrets the consequences of his actions for those involved. He has spoken openly about the personal changes he has undergone as a result.”

Paula Radcliffe had previously apologized for defending the decision to allow Van de Velde to participate in the Games despite his dark past.

Radcliffe’s comments sparked massive criticism on social media, with one online user on X calling her remarks “shocking.”

“I agree and can only apologise, that is not what I meant to say,” replied the former British Olympian and three-time winner of the London Marathon.

“I want to stress that this is not something that can be excused in any way. I was confused and thought about the right to exclude him from the Games and I don’t know why I wished him luck. I apologize again.

“I am not in favour of him taking part. I was confused because I was clumsily trying to say that he cannot be banned because he has served his prison sentence.

“Ideally, it would be great to exclude athletes who do not uphold Olympic ideals and general human norms, but legally that is not possible.”

“Once again, I deeply apologize. I certainly don’t wish him luck and I don’t know why I said that sentence at the end. That was not my intention.”

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