Dutch beach volleyball player Steven van de Velde faced significant backlash during the Paris Olympics, stemming from his past conviction for the rape of a 12-year-old girl in 2016.
The 30-year-old athlete, who was convicted at the age of 19 and served just 12 months of a four-year sentence, found his presence in the men’s beach volleyball competition to be one of the most divisive issues of the Games.
Van de Velde competed alongside fellow Dutch player Matthew Immers, but their journey was overshadowed by widespread criticism and hostility.
Throughout the tournament, they were met with jeers and boos from the crowd, making it a challenging atmosphere for the participants and their families.
The continuous scrutiny led to repeated statements of support from Dutch Olympic officials, affirming their commitment to allowing Van de Velde to compete despite the uproar.
The controversy concluded when Van de Velde and Immers were eliminated by Brazil’s Evandro Oliveira and Arthur Diego Mariano Lanci in the round-of-16 stage, losing in straight sets.
While he largely avoided addressing the media during the Olympics, Van de Velde recently opened up about his ordeal upon returning to the Netherlands, revealing that he did indeed consider withdrawing from the Games.
“Yes, I definitely thought about it,” Van de Velde admitted when asked about the possibility of pulling out.
He expressed concern over the emotional toll the situation took on his family, particularly after a British tabloid published a picture of his wife, causing anguish for his loved ones.
“Hurting people around me—whether it’s Matthew, my wife, my child—that just goes too far for me,” he said, reflecting on the moment that made him question if competing was worth the distress to his family.
Michel Everaert, general manager of the Netherlands Volleyball Federation (Nevobo), defended Van de Velde, suggesting that the uproar was largely fueled by British media entities seeking to sensationalize his involvement in the Games.
Everaert claimed media outlets had actively sought out individuals to incite negative reactions toward Van de Velde during matches.
As the dust settles on this Olympic controversy, the question remains whether Van de Velde’s participation will forever be linked with his past transgressions, or if he can continue to rebuild his career in sport while navigating the complexities of public sentiment and personal redemption.
