To boycott the Olympics for allowing a rapist to compete

@ToniGreen Exactly.. disappeared into the ether. Not given these opportunities and lauded about on tv.. what message is that giving? That we should forgive child rapists and their lives won't be too affected after the crime. They should be living an isolated life shunned by society and on all kinds of registers

This. A 12 year old cannot consent. They can be groomed and raped. The lifetime trauma of what he did to her will never go. He gets supporters, minimisation and claps. Strange standards some have.

Because the question was should people refuse to watch the Olympics because of this guy competing.

I'm not going to stop watching the Olympics because of him, and I doubt the YANBU voters will either, despite what they voted!

Rape is bad enough but this is with a child fgs. The man should have disappeared into the ether not brought the Olympics into disrepute.

I don't think anyone is denying that rape is an appalling crime.

Someone who makes the decision to rape a 12 year old.. it just doesn't matter that he served his sentence. He should be forever limited from certain things in life.
I'm so disgusted by this. And continually disgusted by rape and paedo apologists

Absolutely. I am glad to see the majority of Mnetters on this thread are revolted by this.

And in a way I'm ok that it has exposed the sympathy, minimisation and apologism granted to child rapists.

Thank you @Fluffyelephant.

Plenty of Dutch people disagree with this decision. This is what you get when you systematically exclude women from sport. At the previous Olympics only 13% of coaches were women, and until 2013 less than 20% of the IOC members were women - it's only been about 40% since November last year.

I am deeply disappointed with the actions of the Dutch Volleyball Association and the Dutch Olympic Committee. It's quite a lot like what happened with the Dutch Eurovision candidate - somehow their national media seems to believe what they're told by PR people. It's what can happen in small countries where everyone knows each other and they don't want to rock the boat or lose an interview.

The guy's Dutch language Wikipedia page got locked by an admin (male sounding name) who insisted it wasn't rape because it had a different name in Dutch law at the time - fortunately plenty of Dutch speakers disagreed and it got amended (somewhat).

Ah yes, 12 months is a perfect sentence for what he has done.

The child rapist has also effectively taken a spot that could have gone to another Dutch athlete, one presumably who hasn't abused children.

Heh? How did you get that from what I said?

I don't really care, I can't control his emotions or screwed up way of thinking in the same way I can't control that there will be the odd few people that are apologists for him (his wife and friends etc)... But the vast majority of people vilify him for it and I find some comfort in that, that evil people are called out in the media and public consciousness and there will be fewer people out there thinking he's a "good man" (of course there will always be a few sickos on his side and we can't change that).

Because he's already served prison time

@LittleLeggs so in that case you think he's buzzing off the notoriety?

I find it odd that people seem to think that just by being in the Olympics he is being 'lauded on the world stage' or similar as if he's got some amazing honour/everyone loves him automatically. By competing in the Olympics he has become more worldwide famous and known for being a child rapist than he ever will be for his sporting exploits.
I actually have more of a problem with men like him fading back into normal life as if nothing ever happened and even if people occasionally find out he's on the register, the man can act like the details are unfortunate/"not how it sounds". Not this time. He is now a famous child rapist, with the details known, and is being rightly vilified for it, on the world stage.

People respect Olympic athletes generally because of their character, discipline and hard work. So people also will not respect someone of disgusting character whether he's good at volleyball or not

Having the view that the individual can compete in the Olympics does not make the person an apologist for them, we are all entitled to views without hurling insults.

I don't think they are allowed to do that. Plus they trained for 4 years to win "fairly" against them.

👏🏻

The IOC do not value a horse over a child because the IOC have at no point been involved in the withdrawal/suspension of Charlotte Dujardin. That was done by UKs Equestrian Regulatory Body.

You would think if he has to be barred from Olympic Village for safeguarding reasons that would be sufficient for him to not be allowed to compete.

It's not for any individual or organisation to then apply some sort of perpetual moral punishment.

Murderers, rapists and child rapists are the exception. The UK wouldnt put forward a nonce to the Olympics.

I have seen it, but thanks for suggesting it. The resilience that young woman has shown is remarkable. She’s incredible. As are her parents (who are actually her grandparents)

Such love and support - truly inspiring.

Well said @buffyajp2

@Concernedpasserby
A 12 year old child cannot consent to sex. You cannot know why she later attempted suicide. Not can I. But when I worked for years with young adult survivors of CSA a common theme was that it was 'their fault'. Because that man had told them it was. Ergo a survivor can feel it was their fault when a rapist is caught. They may also feel 'love' & loyalty as well as fear & shame. It is complex. Each case is unique. But all involve an adult & a child who cannot consent. A 1 year sentence is derisory. People are rightly angry that person is now being lauded.

He didn't serve his full sentence. Why are you so keen on defending rapists.

Off topic but if you love simone biles, her Netflix documentary about her getting the twisties, growing up and hher comeback is brilliant if you haven't seen it. Makes what she's achieving all the more magical.

I’d guess the 5% think refusing to watch the Olympics is a futile gesture at best. Possibly disrespectful of the thousands of hardworking athletes who deserve their time in the spotlight.

I think it’s absolutely disgusting that he’s allowed to compete. The Dutch selectors must have rocks in their heads.

I’m still going to watch Simone Biles demonstrate her near-superhuman gymnastics abilities.