PARIS (AFP) – A Dutch beach volleyball player convicted of raping an underage girl was booed by fans when he played his first Olympic match in Paris, his controversial selection putting the sport in the spotlight.
Steven van der Velde, now 29, was convicted of raping an underage girl in 2016 and sentenced to four years in prison.
He appeared on centre court on Sunday morning with teammate Matthew Immers to cheers and applause, with many orange-clad Dutch fans rising to their feet to roar and cheer the pair.
But when he was introduced individually over the loudspeaker, the crowd erupted in boos.
There were sporadic boos every time he served throughout the match.
He won the support of his country’s Olympic Committee and shared a warm embrace with teammate Immers before the start of the match.
But his selection has drawn outrage from women’s and sports safety groups.
Officials said the player will be separated from his teammates, will not be allowed to stay in the athletes’ village and will be barred from speaking to the media.
Teammate Immers told reporters after the match he was “disappointed” that so much attention had been focused on Van der Velde’s past conviction, especially after they had “fought so hard” to qualify.
“I’ve played with him for a couple of years now and we’ve played against each other in every tournament,” he said. “What’s bygones is bygones and he’s taken his punishment.”
“For me, it was a big example of growing up and I learned a lot from it. What happened in the past…of course it’s not good. But now I’m just trying to enjoy it and move on to the next round.”
Juliece Colon, chief executive of the US-based Centre for SafeSport, said she had “deep concerns” that someone convicted of sexually assaulting a minor would be allowed to take part in the Olympics.
“With teams from all over the world coming to Paris, including many underage athletes, this sends a dangerous message that medals and prize money are more important than the safety of the athletes,” she said.
pressure
Van der Velde served part of his sentence in Britain and was then deported to the Netherlands, but was eventually released and resumed playing volleyball in 2017.
But his selection for the national team for the Paris Games has put the popular sport under pressure.
“There’s a big difference between getting a second chance and being selected to represent your country at the Olympics,” said Sarah Alaoui, founder of the Netherlands-based NGO Safe Space Club.
“There is a big difference between going back to work and becoming an internationally famous figure whose past transgressions are conveniently forgotten or downplayed.”
She told AFP she was “deeply disappointed” with the Dutch volleyball federation.
Van der Velde and Immers lost to the Italian pair of Alex Ranghieri and Adrian Ignacio Carambula Laurich on Sunday morning in a closely fought match that went to three sets before the Italians took the deciding point 15-13.
The Dutch pair next face Chile on Wednesday.
