Olympics-Some boos as convicted Dutch rapist makes Olympic beach volleyball debut

Van de Velde NV

28/07/2024 10:16

By Layli Foroudi
       PARIS, July 28 (Reuters) - There were a few discreet
boos, and mixed feelings amongst the crowd, as Netherlands beach
volleyball player Steven van de Velde, a convicted rapist, made
his Paris 2024 debut for a game in bright sunshine at the feet
of the Eiffel tower on Sunday.
    Van de Velde was sentenced to four years in prison in
Britain in 2016 following the rape of a 12-year-old girl two
years earlier when he was 19.
    After serving part of his sentence there, he was transferred
to the Netherlands and has been competing in beach volleyball
again since 2017.
    Among the spectators, Melissa Gautier, a 23-year-old health
worker, said she thought he should not be there.
    "Being an athlete shouldn't give you a free pass," she said.
    Andrea Syslos, a 47-year-old lawyer from Italy, did not know
about the case, but when told about it said: "It's not a good
thing. Sporting justice should be harsher than civil justice.
    "Maybe he shouldn’t still be in prison but it’s not normal
that he is playing in the Olympics where he should be an example
for other people," he said.    
    But 46-year-old German architect Alexandra Bertram, who was
also watching the match, said she did not mind van de Velde
being there.
    "I read about this and I think everyone deserves a second
chance. He's (legally) allowed to be here and so he can be
here."
    Van de Velde was playing with Netherlands teammate Matthew
Immers against Italy's Alex Ranghieri and Adrian Ignacio
Carambula Raurich in a men's Pool B match at the Paris Games.
    
    IOC SATISFIED
    The International Olympic Committee said on Saturday it was
satisfied with explanations given by the Netherlands Olympic
team regarding the participation of Van de Velde.      
    IOC spokesperson Mark Adams said the committee was not
totally comfortable with the situation but that "a crime
occurred 10 years ago, a great deal of rehabilitation has taken
place and strong safeguarding is in place."
    The Dutch team have taken steps to mitigate the impact of
Van de Velde's participation by moving him to alternative
accommodation in Paris and not the athletes' village. There has
also been a ban imposed on him talking to the media.
    Alienor Laurent, co-president of French feminist collective
"Osez le feminisme!" (Dare to be Feminist), mobilised against
Van de Velde's participation, was outraged that he was allowed
to compete in the Olympics.
    "What is the message to victims? That sporting talent has
more value than their dignity," she told Reuters last week.
    "And what is the message to aggressors? Assaulting (a young
girl) will have no impact on your life or your career, you will
be celebrated and may have medals."

 (Reporting by Layli Foroudi; additional reporting by Elizabeth
Pineau; Writing by Ingrid Melander; Editing by Ken Ferris)
 ((Layli.Foroudi@thomsonreuters.com;))