Steven Van de Velde, the former Dutch Olympian, is embroiled in massive controversy, with his latest appearance at the Paris Olympic Games. The 30-year-old volleyball player was found guilty of raping a 12-year-old British girl in 2014, in Milton Keynes. Despite his four-year prison sentence, Van de Velde spent only one year in prison as a result of a legal maneuver by which he was extradited to the Netherlands where he was charged with ‘fornication’—a crime under Dutch law.

Public Uproar Over Van de Velde’s Olympic Return

In Paris, the crowd booed and jeered at Van de Velde during his performance, particularly when he was serving, which led him to consider the thought of giving up the Olympics. However, he instead opted to press on, stating that he didn’t want to be ‘bullied’ out of participating. He later told Dutch media that he was surprised by the “scale” of the backlash and went on to denounce the media for negative coverage, saying that it had affected his wife and child.

Van de Velde’s participation in the Olympics has sparked a significant deal of anger. Victims’ rights groups, lawmakers, and fans had called for him not to be allowed to participate. A petition to have him barred from the Games drew more than 94,000 signatures. The International Olympic Committee has, however, stated that it was not in a capacity to prevent the Netherlands from selecting him as long as he met all the qualifications.

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Netherlands Stands By Van de Velde Amid Scandal

The Olympic selectors of the Netherlands defended the decision to include Van de Velde in the national team, saying that he would be provided special care—for example, private transport and bodyguards—to keep him out of the spotlight. His teammate Matthew Immers also vouched for him, claiming that Van de Velde had already “endured his punishment” and was really ‘soft-hearted.’

The saga of Van de Velde has again stirred up discussion about whether athletes with past doping convictions like his should be permitted to continue participating in international events like the Olympics. He has tried to start his life over anew, going so far as to marry yet another volleyball player named Kim Behrens and become a father, but his past doesn’t seem to let up on him.

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