Close Menu
WTX News
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    Trending
    • 25 arrested and 26 officers hurt as up to 150,000 people join ‘Unite the Kingdom’ march in London
    • Strictly star Thomas Skinner admits to cheating on wife ‘weeks after wedding’
    • My father the fraud: Daughter reveals how key scientist in Primodos scandal built career on lies
    • The upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 games line-up is depressingly bad
    • Police charge man over revolting attacks on London synagogues
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram YouTube
    WTX News
    • Live News
      • US News
      • EU News
      • UK News
      • Politics
      • COVID-19
      • Business
      • Tech zone
    • World news
      • Middle East News
        • UAE News
        • Palestine News
      • Europe
        • Italian News
        • Spanish News
      • Africa news
      • South America
      • North America
      • Asia
    • News Briefings
      • UK News Briefing
      • World News Briefing
      • Live Business News
    • Sports
      • Football News
      • Tennis
      • Women’s Football
    • MY World
      • Climate Change
      • In Review
      • Expose
      • Special Reports
        • Conscience Convoy
        • Rohingya Report
    • Entertainment
      • Insta Talk
      • Royal Family
      • Gaming News
      • TV Shows
      • Streaming
    • Lifestyle
      • Fitness
      • Fashion
      • Cooking recipes
      • Luxury
      • Money Saving Expert
    • Travel
      • Culture
      • Holidays
    • Sign Up
      • Log In
    WTX News
    • Live News
    • World news
    • News Briefings
    • Sports
    • MY World
    • Entertainment
    • Lifestyle
    • Travel
    • Sign Up
    Home - Olympic Games - British Olympic chief slams decision to allow Dutch rapist to compete
    Olympic Games Updated:July 28, 2024

    British Olympic chief slams decision to allow Dutch rapist to compete

    By WTX Sports Team3 Mins Read
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Telegram WhatsApp
    British Olympic chief slams decision to allow Dutch rapist to compete

    Steven van de Velde has arrived in Paris ahead of the 2024 Olympics (Picture: Getty)

    The head of the British Olympic Association has condemned the decision to allow a convicted child rapist to take part in the Paris Olympics this summer.

    Dutch beach volleyball player Steven van de Velde was convicted of three counts of rape against a 12-year-old girl from Milton Keynes and sentenced to four years in prison in 2016.

    But the 29-year-old has been selected to represent the Netherlands and will play his first match on Sunday morning.

    However, his own national committee have taken extra measures to keep him away from the Olympic village.

    Team GB’s chief executive Andy Anson was among those who made sure Van de Velde would not be allowed to stay there alongside other athletes.

    He’s revealed that British reps had contacted both the International Olympic Committee and Dutch chiefs to ‘make their displeasure known’ about Van de Velde’s inclusion.

    ‘I can’t ever foresee a way where someone with that kind of criminal record would be able to pass the safeguarding test and be selected,’ he told The Times.

    ‘We have young 15-year-olds in the village and I personally wouldn’t feel comfortable having someone with that kind of record in the village with them.

    ‘So I think the Dutch finally saw sense and took him out of the village, which was the least I think that could happen.’

    It had also already been previously decided that Van de Velde will not take part in any media duties after matches and only his teammate Matthew Immers, 23, will speak to the press.

    Van de Velde was 19 at the time of the offences and knew the age of his victim when he flew to England to meet her after talking to her on Facebook.

    Van de Velde, 29, admitted in 2016 to three counts of rape against a 12-year-old girl in England (Picture: Getty)

    He was sent back to the Netherlands to serve his sentence but was released after just one year behind bars and able to resume his career.

    Judge Francis Sheridan told Van de Velde in court: ‘Your hopes of representing your country now lie as a shattered dream.’

    But the Dutch volleyball association Nevobo have backed Van de Velde and said there was ‘no reason’ to exclude him from the team.

    Michel Everaert, general director at Nevobo, said: ‘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.’

    Pieter van den Hoogenband, a former Olympic champion swimmer, said he has been ‘surprised by the fuss’ surrounding his selection.

    He said: ‘He has been active in international sport, the beach volleyball world, for some time. He has played World Cups, European Championships and World Cups, but then you see that things are different around the Games. That things are exaggerated.’


    Source link

    2024 Olympics Paris 2024 Olympics Paris Olympics Paris Olympics 2024 Team GB
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email Telegram WhatsApp
    Previous ArticleParis Olympics 2024 Opening Ceremony: Parade of Nations order explained
    Next Article Team GB hire private chefs after being served raw meat in Olympic Village
    WTX Sports Team

    The Sports Team is responsible for delivering your Sports Brief. Weekly roundup to cover all things Football, Cricket, Tennis Formula 1, Boxing and Olympics and more.

    Related Posts

    Liverpool strikers copy Jota’s ‘crocodile celebration’ after scoring in first game since his death
    Liverpool news

    Liverpool strikers copy Jota’s ‘crocodile celebration’ after scoring in first game since his death

    Transfer rumors, news: Spurs turn to Gibbs-White amid City interest
    Sport

    Transfer rumors, news: Spurs turn to Gibbs-White amid City interest

    Spain deflecting pressure by dubbing England favourites – Bronze
    Women's Football

    Spain deflecting pressure by dubbing England favourites – Bronze

    Generations of Texas elite in mourning over Camp Mystic tragedy
    UK News

    Generations of Texas elite in mourning over Camp Mystic tragedy

    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    You must be logged in to post a comment.

    Advertisment
    News Headlines
    25 arrested and 26 officers hurt as up to 150,000 people join ‘Unite the Kingdom’ march in London

    25 arrested and 26 officers hurt as up to 150,000 people join ‘Unite the Kingdom’ march in London

    My father the fraud: Daughter reveals how key scientist in Primodos scandal built career on lies

    My father the fraud: Daughter reveals how key scientist in Primodos scandal built career on lies

    Save 70% on VIP subscription
    News Briefings - the way to a better life
    News Briefings - the way to a better life
    Advert by Sponsors
    More from WTX News
    The latest gaming news - with game reviews and tips and tricks. updated 24 hours a day.
    The latest gaming news
    Hot off the press!
    • 25 arrested and 26 officers hurt as up to 150,000 people join ‘Unite the Kingdom’ march in London September 14, 2025
    • Strictly star Thomas Skinner admits to cheating on wife ‘weeks after wedding’ September 14, 2025
    • My father the fraud: Daughter reveals how key scientist in Primodos scandal built career on lies September 14, 2025
    • The upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 games line-up is depressingly bad September 14, 2025
    • Police charge man over revolting attacks on London synagogues September 14, 2025
    WTX News latest breaking news sports and travel
    Latest News and analysis - Deciphering through the BS with exclusive News Briefings
    Facebook X (Twitter) TikTok Instagram

    News

    • World News
    • UK News
    • US News
    • EU News
    • Business
    • Opinions
    • News Briefing
    • Live News

    Company

    • About WTX News
    • Register
    • Advertising
    • Work with us
    • Contact
    • Community
    • GDPR Policy
    • Privacy

    Services

    • Fitness for free
    • Insta Talk
    • How to guides
    • Climate Change
    • In Review
    • Expose
    • NEWS SUMMARY
    • Money Saving Expert

    News delivered to your inbox

    Copyright WTX News 2025

    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.