Protecting a child abuser reveals double standards at the Olympics

When Steven van de Velde stood trial after being found guilty of raping a 12-year-old British girl, the judge told him: “You have been training as a potential Olympian. Your hopes of representing your country are now a shattered dream.” But after serving just one year of a four-year prison sentence, he was allowed to resume training.

Yesterday, a decade after his crimes, van de Velde took to the world’s most prestigious sporting stage. As he entered the volleyball court in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower, he was booed. It seems the crowd was finally united – something the tableau of drag queens and faded pop stars at the “inclusive” opening ceremony had failed to do. The crowd’s disapproval angered van de Velde’s teammate Matthew Immers, who told reporters: “He’s had his punishment and he’s really nice now.”

Van de Velde was not expected to defend himself in front of the international press. Of the thousands of competitors, he was the only one granted special permission to exempt him from the responsibility of giving media interviews. John van Vliet, the Dutch team’s press attaché, stepped in for him. He spoke quite openly about his role, admitting: “We are protecting a convicted child molester.” When asked what message the player’s selection sent to victims of sexual abuse, van Vliet replied: “I have no message.”