SwedenLivingWorld world_2_fill WorldBusiness BusinessSports sports-soccer SportsEntertainmentEntertain

Convicted of Rape - Made Olympic Games Debut in Paris

Convicted and questioned. Eight years ago, beach volleyball player Steven van de Velde was convicted of child rape. Despite the scandal, the 29-year-old Dutchman has now made his Olympic Games debut in front of the Eiffel Tower. He has served his sentence, says teammate Matthew Immers.

» Updated: 19 September 2024, 14:33

» Published: 28 July 2024

Convicted of Rape - Made Olympic Games Debut in Paris
Photo: Louise Delmotte/AP/TT

Convicted and questioned. Eight years ago, beach volleyball player Steven van de Velde was convicted of child rape.

Despite the scandal, the 29-year-old Dutchman has now made his Olympic Games debut in front of the Eiffel Tower.

He has served his sentence, says teammate Matthew Immers.

Beach volleyball is one of the major attractions at the Olympic Games in Paris. The players have been given a prime spot right in front of the Eiffel Tower, where a temporary arena has been built on the Champ de Mars field.

But the Olympic sport has also sparked a debate that the organizers would have liked to avoid.

This is a discussion that has spread here, says a journalist from Le Parisien.

"The biggest mistake of my life"

She, like other media on the press stand, has come here not so much for the sake of beach volleyball, but to monitor 29-year-old Steven van de Velde, who was convicted in 2016 of raping a 12-year-old girl.

I can't undo it, so I have to take the consequences. It's the biggest mistake of my life, said van de Velde in an interview with the Dutch TV channel NOS in 2018.

It was 2014 when he, as a 19-year-old, came into contact with the girl on Facebook, according to The Telegraph. He flew to the UK to meet her and confessed to three counts of child rape in 2016. The Dutchman was sentenced to four years in prison for child rape.

If an athlete or anyone else in our team had received that sentence, they would not be allowed to participate, says Anna Meares, head of the Australian delegation.

Van de Velde seemed relatively unaffected by the attention during the game, the audience reacted little, apart from some booing. The game went on.

"He has served his sentence"

After the match, teammate Matthew Immers came to the mixed zone for interviews, and everything revolved around the scandal.

I'm very disappointed that it happened and that it's become so big, says Immers to a cluster of journalists.

Because we've worked incredibly hard for two years to qualify for this and we've talked about it, and said we're going to enjoy the Olympic Games.

Van de Velde himself did not come to the interview zone.

He's not here just because he wants to rest, he wants to focus on the game, said Immers.

A journalist from The Times blurted out: You understand that it was a 12-year-old girl? Another asked what kind of role model van de Velde is for others.

I think he's a good role model the way he's acting now, I appreciate playing with him. What has happened has happened. He has served his sentence, says Immers.

The match then? It was even all the way to the third set, but there the Italians won 15–13. The next match for the Netherlands is on Wednesday.

Tags
TTT
By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

More news

Confirmed: Superstar Placed on Injury List
1 MIN READ

Confirmed: Superstar Placed on Injury List

Uefa acknowledges: Isak was robbed of a goal
1 MIN READ

Uefa acknowledges: Isak was robbed of a goal

Romania awarded victory - negatively affects Sweden
2 MIN READ

Romania awarded victory - negatively affects Sweden

These are the candidates for the Jerring Award
1 MIN READ

These are the candidates for the Jerring Award

The Men's Attitude Inspires in the Hunt for a European Championship Spot
2 MIN READ

The Men's Attitude Inspires in the Hunt for a European Championship Spot

Back problems stop Italian star
1 MIN READ

Back problems stop Italian star

Vieira takes over crisis club in Italy
1 MIN READ

Vieira takes over crisis club in Italy

Top Allsvenskan Player Retires
2 MIN READ

Top Allsvenskan Player Retires

The Star's Response to Criticism: "Never Been Better"
2 MIN READ

The Star's Response to Criticism: "Never Been Better"

The Hope of a European Championship Semifinal Lives On After the Victory
1 MIN READ

The Hope of a European Championship Semifinal Lives On After the Victory

Frustrated - but at the same time not surprised
2 MIN READ

Frustrated - but at the same time not surprised

The Bronze Hero Nicolina Pernheim Goodrich: "Shocked and Very Sad"
4 MIN READ

The Bronze Hero Nicolina Pernheim Goodrich: "Shocked and Very Sad"

Palestine earned a point against the leader
1 MIN READ

Palestine earned a point against the leader

Ludvig Åberg can be awarded for Masters performance
1 MIN READ

Ludvig Åberg can be awarded for Masters performance

Penalties decided after Swedish goals
1 MIN READ

Penalties decided after Swedish goals

"It's incredible - he's a goal machine"
2 MIN READ

"It's incredible - he's a goal machine"

Tomasson on the future: "We can reach far"
3 MIN READ

Tomasson on the future: "We can reach far"

British media: Pep stays at City
1 MIN READ

British media: Pep stays at City

Isak's harsh criticism: "Worst I've seen"
2 MIN READ

Isak's harsh criticism: "Worst I've seen"

The Giant Talent's Nightmare: Subbed off Injured
1 MIN READ

The Giant Talent's Nightmare: Subbed off Injured