I'm sorry Paula Radcliffe wishes Steven van de Velde good luck

Former British marathon world champion Paula Radcliffe apologised for her words and wished “good luck” to Dutch beach volleyball player Steven van de Velde, who was convicted of sexually abusing a 12-year-old girl.

In 2016, van de Velde was sentenced to four years in prison after being found guilty of three counts of rape of a child. He served just 12 months of that sentence and was only selected for the Dutch Olympic team last month.

“I am ashamed that I expressed it so clearly and did not condemn the rape out loud,” Radcliffe said.

But on Wednesday, Radcliffe appeared on LBC radio and was asked about athletes who have been banned from the Olympics for doping before turning her attention to van de Velde.

“To ban someone, as I understand it, was 19 at the time and served his prison sentence. It’s a long time to spend the rest of your life paying for that mistake,” Radcliffe said. “I think it’s harsh to punish him twice. If he’s managed to successfully turn his life around after prison, qualify and play sport at the highest level, then I really wish him the best of luck.”

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Following strong reactions, Radcliffe, who has competed in four Olympic Games and won the New York City Marathon three times, apologized on social media.

“While I believe in second chances after serving a sentence, I also believe that the Olympic Games should be reserved for those who uphold their ideals – that’s why my comparison with doping was inappropriate,” she wrote.

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