Anticipation for the commencement of the 2024 Olympics has been littered with controversy this year, after it was revealed that a convicted child rapist will be competing in the beach volley ball tournament.
Steven van de Velde, 29, will be representing the Netherlands at the upcoming games, after being shockingly defended by Dutch sporting bosses, despite having served a sentence in prison.
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The athlete was sentenced to four years behind bars back in March 2016 after admitting to three counts of rape against a 12-year-old child.
According to his own confession, at age 19, he travelled to the UK two years prior, in 2014, to meet the underage victim who he'd met on Facebook.
The child was subsequently raped the child at an address in Milton Keynes.
Despite being found guilty of his crime, van de Velde only served a total of 12 months before being released early.
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Naturally, therefore, when news broke last month that the volleyball player would be representing his country at the prestigious global games, many viewers claimed they'd be boycotting the tournament altogether.
And as such, millions of spectators have been left baffled as to how the child sex offender was even allowed to attend the Olympic qualifiers ahead of the commencement on Friday (26 July).
Why has Steven van de Velde been allowed to compete at the Olympics?
Despite the backlash, Pieter van den Hoogenband - team boss for the Netherlands - has this week addressed the controversial move, defending his decision to allow van de Velde to compete.
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Speaking to press, the former swimming champion insisted that 'measures' had been taken to facilitate the criminal's participation in the games, which include a blanket man on all media interviews.
Van den Hoogenband also revealed that van de Velde was being housed in a separate accommodation, away with the Olympic village, in which all other competitors were residing.
He told Dutch outlet NOS this week: "Steven has been active in international sports and the beach volleyball world for a long time.
"He has played in World Cups, European Championships and World Championships, but then you see that things are different around the Games. That things are exaggerated around the Games."
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The coach even went as far as to say that van de Velde 'deserves' support from spectators.
"All athletes are dear to me and I try to support them. Steven and Matthew [Immers] are also part of that," he continued.
What have Steven van de Velde's teammates said?
Van de Velde's teammate Matthew Immers also told the publication that the criminal has been a 'second father' to him during practice.
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"It’s a shame that people talk about him like that. I know the Steven of today, and I’m happy about that," he claimed.
"He’s a very good partner for me. We have fun and good company on and off the field, that’s the most important thing for me."
After the news broke last month about van de Velde's participation in the games, the sex offender told press he was 'not happy' that this 'black period' in his life had resurfaced.
He said: "That’s obvious, but I also understand that this is just part of it. In 2016 and afterwards, several Dutch media also paid attention to the story.
"I understand that in the run-up to the biggest sporting event in the world, this can attract the attention of international media."
If you have been affected by any of the issues in this article and wish to speak to someone in confidence, contact the Rape Crisis England and Wales helpline on 0808 500 222, available 24/7. If you are currently in danger or need urgent medical attention, you should call 999.
Topics: Crime, Olympics, World News
Rhianna Benson