Dutch Volleyball player who raped 12-year-old British girl qualifies for Paris Olympics

[MidnightPatrol]

A beach volleyball player who was jailed for raping a 12-year-old British girl is set to represent the Netherlands at the Paris Olympics.

Steven van de Velde, now 29, was sentenced to four years in prison in 2016 after admitting three counts of rape against a child, which took place in August 2014.

He was allowed to serve his sentence in the Netherlands but was released after just 12 months.

The Dutch Olympic Committee (NOC) told BBC Sport: "After his release, Van de Velde sought and received professional counselling. He demonstrated to those around him - privately and professionally - self-insight and reflection."

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) said the nomination of individual team members is "the sole responsibility of each respective National Olympic Committee".

https://www.bbc.com/sport/articles/c511yz5ze18o

Should this mean be allowed to compete in the Olympics, given his crimes?

It's getting more coverage now, and concerns seem to be widespread:
Today's Guardian:

Good to read in there that the rules in the UK would not have allowed him to compete for TeamGB.

The problem surely lies with the selection rules in the Netherlands. He should never have been in a position to be selected.

He's also appears to have no remorse or empathy for his victim - only himself.

I cannot understand why anyone would try to justify his inclusion.

It's deeply awful, i'm really angry that he's allowed to compete

It’s absolutely shameful that the Dutch committee have signed this convicted rapist off

I agree @Whatshappning, but then this is the Netherlands we're talking about, and lovely as the place and most people are they've got liberalism like a disease

In a nation which allows parties which advocates for paedophilia to campaign for election, it may well be considered a surprise that van de Velde was convicted at all

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2006/jul/18/topstories3.mainsection

Typo

@Puzzledandpissedoff Ugh that’s crazy! And how awful and misleading that a political party advocating for paedophiles was called : Party for Neighbourly Love, Freedom, and Diversity 🤮

I’m relieved to hear it’s been dissolved but it’s sad it was ever a thing

I know a PP mentioned this but the comparison to Charlotte Dujardin is really valid. She has been banned ( rightly ) for breaching the FEI code of conduct four years ago, despite not being charged/ convicted of an actual crime ( not justifying her terrible actions) .
She has acknowledged her wrongdoing, apologised and bowed out. Her career is in tatters. I cannot see her representing GB ever again. But we’re all supposed to forgive and forget with this hideous child abuser!!!

Well he probably wouldn’t have been convicted in Netherlands which is why the Dutch Olympic committee thinks it’s fine.

he was convicted in England and then went to Serve rhe sentence in the Netherlands where they released him

He was convicted in England and then went to Serve the sentence in the Netherlands where they released him

I honestly hadn't realised that, @LiquoriceAllsorts2, though at least it explains how he came to be convicted at all

Hard not to wonder what the Dutch attitude to our judicial processes was when they selected him ...

From what I understand under Dutch law his conviction was reclassified to a lesser one when he was sent back there after spending one year jailed in England . So not as serious as rape, but something else.

And that’s why he served just one month there, after he was transferred from England. Then he went straight back into the Dutch volleyball scene. So much for his Olympic dream being “shattered” which is what the sentencing judge said.

His wife is a police officer and mother. The mind boggles.

The athlete (and mother) Paula Radcliffe spoke up in his defence recently but backtracked after all the backlash she got. I kind of believe she said what she meant though which is shocking.

https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/olympics/paula-radcliffe-olympics-2024-steven-van-de-velde-b2585577.html

Honestly shame on all involved in trying to justify this.

https://www.mamamia.com.au/steven-van-de-velde-rape-olympics/amp/

https://www.news.com.au/sport/olympics/child-rapist-banished-from-olympic-village/news-story/5ad3c8118483067c2412d1da17fc4c80

Head of sport at Dutch newspaper Trouw, John Graat said in a controversial column: “Steven van de Velde will be sitting alone in a hotel somewhere in Paris from next week, like an outcast who has been rejected by the Olympic ‘family’. I think it’s sad.”

old mate, John’s not reading the room very well. Needs to wake up and smell the coffee.

Other reports have blamed foreign media, especially in the UK and Australia, for increasing pressure over his inclusion.

He might not be reading the room of foreigners but I am not sure it’s seen as a big issue in the Netherlands which is the audience he was writing to

https://www.dutchnews.nl/2016/03/dutch-beach-volleyball-player-gets-four-years-for-rape-of-girl-12/ Article in the Netherlands from the time of the court case. They have painted him as a victim to some extend and are showing sympathy towards him. They clearly don’t see it as rape.

If he grew up super focused on elite sport he likely was pretty immature at 19 so it’s not beyond the realms of possibility that he’s done something incredibly stupid

SHE WAS TWELVE. You disgusting apologist @Temushopper

This world is absolutely mad, the worse you are they take pity on you and all the do gooders want to make you better.
Tell this to that poor little girl.
They need to bring back the death penalty for people like him not glorify him.

Well now I know never to visit the Netherlands, especially with children.

Disgusting pedophile. I hope someone takes action.

Yes and what I actually said was:

“If he grew up super focused on elite sport he likely was pretty immature at 19 so it’s not beyond the realms of possibility that he’s done something incredibly stupid and damaging impulsively without being a wholly wicked and irredeemable person. It’s also entirely within the realms of possibility he’s an abusive and dangerous man that has done the same again and just not been caught”

Not quite the same as what you’ve chosen to quote really. I wonder do you feel it’s disgusting to think 19 year olds are not always very mature and do stupid shit generally or just in this specific instance? What if they’d done something like driven drunk or procured drugs for a party and a 12 year old or young teen died as a result? Would anyone who thought they might grow up and do better also be a disgusting apologist?

Oh god, those details are so much worse than I first realised. Just unbelievable that he was let off after a mere 12 months. That poor child.

The details of alcohol, repeated rapes and the appalling effects on the victim weren’t mentioned by the news sources I’ve read.

It’s like all the crimes committed by men but recorded, by news media as well as the ‘justice’ system, as being by women (because those criminals self-identified as women).

Protecting men from hurt feelings is always more important than justice or women’s lives.

She was TWELVE.

The information on the case said he knew her age, but still travelled abroad to rape her.

The whatabouttery aside, I wouldn't be excusing a drunk driver who killed someone because he 'wasn't mature.' I'd also not agree with him representing his country in the Olympics .

He was an adult. He made the choice.

Don't stick your penis into twelve year olds.
Even very low intelligent people can understand that. Its very very simple. If you can understand not to stick forks into electric sockets, you can also understand that.

Well I hope the Netherlands understands the effect on their international relations. Yesterday someone was talking about an initiative there and I said, "great, but they did send a child rapist to the olympics". I will be saying that every time the Netherlands comes up in a good light for a very long time.

@Temushopper

I wonder do you feel it’s disgusting to think 19 year olds are not always very mature and do stupid shit generally or just in this specific instance? What if they’d done something like driven drunk or procured drugs for a party and a 12 year old or young teen died as a result?

He raped a twelve year old. He travelled to another country specifically to do so.

The fact you're comparing this to drink driving or getting drugs and a twelve year old tragically dying an accidental death as a result is baffling. Incidentally, in all three instances I believe the perpetrator should go to prison, yes.

But comparing an accidental death to a KNOWING rape, of a twelve year old, is bizarre and I can't really see why you're doing it.

@Temushopper

I wonder do you feel it’s disgusting to think 19 year olds are not always very mature and do stupid shit generally or just in this specific instance? What if they’d done something like driven drunk or procured drugs for a party and a 12 year old or young teen died as a result?

And frankly, calling the rape of a 12 year old "stupid shit" is such disgusting minimising that I'm hoping on reflection you're a bit embarrassed you used that phrasing.

Exactly. There's a difference between doing someone stupid that has a tragic and unintended consequence and doing something premeditatedly predatory with an intended victim from the start.

It takes a special kind of apologist to think travelling to repeatedly rape a 12 year old is some kind of childish accident.

Just unbelievable that he was let off after a mere 12 months

Not really, @Hairyesterdaygonetoday; as said before that's Dutch liberalism for you

The problem with adopting these extreme ideologies, and hanging onto them for so long, is that it can be very difficult to row back when the consequences become clear - which is at least partly why beautiful Amsterdam has become a cesspit of child abuse, drug pushers and more