Dutch authorities defend decision to allow child molesters to participate in Paris Olympics

The decision to allow a child molester to participate in the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris has been shockingly defended by Dutch sports bosses.

Steven van de Velde, 29, was sentenced to four years in prison in March 2016 after admitting three counts of rape of a 12-year-old child.

However, the athlete only served 12 months of his sentence before being released.

Steven van de Velde, 29, was convicted of raping a 12-year-old child in 2016. (Pablo Morano/BSR Agency/Getty Images)

The incident occurred two years earlier in 2014, and the then 19-year-old athlete met the victim via Facebook.

He travelled to the UK and raped the child at an address in Milton Keynes.

Since then, the Dutch Olympic Committee has announced that the convicted sex offender will be part of the Dutch beach volleyball squad for the upcoming Games in Paris, which begin at the end of next month (July 26).

Speaking about the decision to join the Dutch Volleyball Association (Nevobo), Van de Velde was reportedly “not happy” that this “black phase” in his life was resurfacing.

He said: “This is obvious, but I also understand that this is only part of it. In 2016 and after, several Dutch media outlets also paid attention to the story.

“I understand that this may attract international media attention ahead of the biggest sporting event in the world.”

Michel Everaert, general director of Nevobo, also issued a statement claiming that the rapist was an “exemplary” person.

The rapist will represent his country at the upcoming Games in Paris next month (July 26). (VCG / Contributor / Getty Images)

It states: “We know Steven’s background. Before he expressed his desire to return to beach volleyball, we spoke extensively with him, but also with the NOC*NSF (National Olympic Committee), among others.

“He was convicted under English law and has served his sentence. Since then, we have been in constant contact with Steven, who has now fully reintegrated into the Dutch volleyball community.

“He is proving to be an exemplary professional and human being and there has been no reason to doubt him since his return. We fully support him and his participation in Paris, which he and Matthew deserve.”

The Dutch National Olympic Committee also issued the following statement: “Since 2017, Steven van de Velde has been taking part in international beach volleyball tournaments again – after an intensive, professionally supervised process, including with the probation service.

“The considerations and conditions for a return to elite sport were determined at the time by both Nevobo and the NOC*NSF (National Olympic Committee) partly on the basis of the NOC*NSF (National Olympic Committee) Integrity History Guideline, which, among other things, sets out the conditions under which athletes can return to elite sport after a conviction.

“Van de Velde now meets all the qualification requirements for the Olympic Games and is therefore part of the team.”

Tyla has contacted the Dutch Olympic Committee and asked for comment.

If you have been affected by any of the issues described in this article and would like to speak to someone in confidence, call the Rape Crisis England and Wales Helpline on 0808 500 222, which operates 24 hours a day. If you are currently at risk or need urgent medical help, you should call 999.