Steven van de Velde, a Dutch volleyball player convicted of raping a British girl in 2016, has been chosen to compete in this summer’s Olympics, sparking significant controversy. Van de Velde was sentenced to four years in prison for what was described as a “planned, calculated” attack. He served part of his sentence in England before being sent back to the Netherlands, where his sentence was adjusted according to Dutch laws.
The Dutch volleyball federation (Nevobo) has defended their decision, stating that van de Velde, now 29, has been “an exemplary professional and human being” since his return. They confirmed he had sought professional counseling and had their “full support.” The Dutch Olympic committee also backed his inclusion, noting he met all qualification requirements for the Olympics and is therefore part of the team.
Van de Velde addressed the situation in a statement released by Nevobo. He acknowledged the international media attention and said, “I understand that in the run-up to the biggest sporting event in the world, this can attract the attention of international media. I cannot reverse it, so I will have to bear the consequences. It has been the biggest mistake of my life.”
The Survivors Trust, an organization supporting survivors of sexual abuse, condemned the decision to allow van de Velde to continue his career. They stated, “The fact that van de Velde is allowed to continue his career after admitting ‘the biggest mistake of his life’ is further endorsement of the shocking toleration we have of child sexual abuse. The rape of a child was planned, calculated involving international travel and will undoubtedly cause his victim lifelong trauma, irreversibly changing the course of her life. As a society, we have to start embracing a zero-tolerance approach to this heinous and costly crime. His lack of remorse and empathy for his victim is chilling, and the allowance of his colleagues and the Olympic committee to promote him to a young audience as a sports person to look up to is deeply disturbing.”
The decision to include van de Velde in the Olympic team has ignited a debate about accountability and the messages being sent to young fans and athletes. Critics argue that allowing him to compete minimizes the severity of his crime and sets a dangerous precedent. Supporters of van de Velde’s inclusion point to his efforts to rehabilitate and his professional conduct since returning to the Netherlands.
This controversy highlights the broader issues surrounding how society deals with individuals convicted of serious crimes once they have served their sentences. The question remains: should someone with such a conviction be allowed to represent their country on the world stage? For now, Steven van de Velde is set to compete in the Olympics, carrying with him not just the hopes of his team but also the weight of a deeply contentious past.