Radcliffe apologizes for rapist comment

8th

Former world marathon champion Paula Radcliffe has said she is “very sorry” after wishing a convicted rapist “good luck” in competing in the Olympic Games.

Steven van de Velde, who was named in the Dutch beach volleyball squad for the 2024 World Championships in Paris, was sentenced to four years in prison in 2016 after pleading guilty to raping a 12-year-old British girl at the age of 19.

The Dutchman, who met his victim on Facebook, travelled from Amsterdam to the UK and raped the girl at an address in Milton Keynes.

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

She had previously said in an interview with radio station LBC on Wednesday: “I know he is married and settled now.

“I think it’s harsh to punish him twice. And if he manages to turn his life around after his prison sentence, qualify and play sport at the highest level, then I really wish him the best of luck.”

In a series of social media posts, BBC commentator Radcliffe apologised for her remarks.

“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 wrong,” she added.

“I myself am shocked and disappointed at how poorly I expressed that.

“I am very sorry and I should have done much better. I did not mean to overlook the crime and to say that those who do not uphold ideals should be excluded, but cannot.

“I deeply apologize and am deeply shocked and disappointed in myself and cannot understand how I managed to convey this so poorly.” (BBC Sport)