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The decision to allow a child rapist to compete in the upcoming Paris Olympics has been shockingly defended by Dutch sporting bosses.
Steven van de Velde, 29, was sentenced in March 2016 to four years in prison after he admitted to three counts of rape against a 12-year-old child.
However, the athlete only served 12 months of the sentence before he was released.
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The incident took place two years prior in 2014, and the athlete - who was 19 at the time - met the victim on 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 in the Dutch beach volleyball squad for the upcoming Paris Games, which kick off late next month (26 July).
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Speaking about the decision to join the Dutch volleyball federation (Nevobo), Van de Velde was reportedly 'not happy' that this 'black period' in his life 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."
Michel Everaert, general director at Nevobo, has also since issued a statement that claimed the rapist was an 'exemplary' human being.
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It reads: "We know Steven's history. Before he expressed his desire to return to beach volleyball at the time, we spoke extensively with him but also with NOC*NSF [National Olympic Committee], among others.
"He was convicted at the time according to English law and he has served his sentence. From then on, we have been in constant contact with Steven, who has now been 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 have earned."
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The Dutch National Olympic Committee also issued the following statement: "Already since 2017, Steven van de Velde - after an intensive professionally supervised process with, among others, the probation service - is once again participating in international beach volleyball tournaments.
"At the time, the considerations and conditions for return to top-level sports were determined by both Nevobo and NOC*NSF [National Olympic Committee] partly on the basis of the Guideline Integrity History of NOC*NSF [National Olympic Committee], which sets out, among other things, the conditions under which athletes in top-level sports can return 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 reached out to the Dutch Olympic Committee for comment.
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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.
Rhiannon Ingle