Convicted child rapist Steven Van de Velde cried in his first interview since the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, where he was booed and jeered for his horrific crimes while representing the Netherlands in beach volleyball.
The 30-year-old, who served just one year of a five-year sentence for raping a 12-year-old girl, has spoken for the first time since his controversial participation in this summer’s Games.
He was found guilty of three counts of rape of a child in Milton Keynes in 2014, but was selected because he was released early from prison and the national selection committee ruled he had paid his dues.
However, the beach volleyball player did not receive a warm welcome during the matches in the French capital and was eliminated in the round of 16 on August 4 together with his partner Matthew Immers.
Nine days after his elimination from the tournament, Van de Velde told a Dutch newspaper that he was considering skipping the Olympics altogether and was shockingly critical of the media coverage of the case.
Convicted child rapist Steven Van de Velde has cried in his first interview since the 2024 Paris Olympics, where he was booed and jeered by spectators
Van De Velde (pictured with teammate Matthew Immers at the Paris Olympics) was found guilty of three counts of rape of a 12-year-old girl in Milton Keynes in 2014, but took part in the competition this summer after being released early from prison
Van de Velde spoke to the media on Tuesday during a press conference at the European Beach Volleyball Championship in The Hague
The Dutch volleyball player (pictured during the Netherlands’ Olympic preliminary round in pool B against Norway) has served only one year of her five-year sentence for raping a 12-year-old girl
He told the newspaper: ‘I’ve certainly thought about it, yes. I did something wrong, ten years ago. I have to accept that.
“But to hurt people around me – whether it’s Matthew, my wife, my child… that just goes too far for me.
“That was really a moment where I thought, is this worth it?”
Van de Velde spent 13 months in prison after being convicted of rape in England in 2016.
A judge had previously told Van de Velde that his promising career was a ‘shattered dream’ after his conviction for the horrific offence. But against all odds and public outrage, he was selected for the Paris Games squad.
Although victims’ advocates, lawmakers and fans have called for him to be banned from the Olympics, the IOC has said it has no power to prevent the Netherlands from sending an athlete who qualified through the usual means.
However, he did not stay with other athletes in the Olympic village after the British Olympic Association raised concerns about this with the IOC.
The Dutch selection committee for the Olympic Games supported Van de Velde’s inclusion in their team and previously explained that he met all the criteria to participate in the Games in the French capital.
During the tournament, Van de Velde did not speak to reporters, something normally expected of all Olympians. Immers said his partner needed mental rest.
