Sports
Dutch Volleyball Player’s Controversial Olympic Journey
On Sunday, Steven van de Velde, a Dutch volleyball player, will walk onto a sand court near the Eiffel Tower with big dreams of becoming an Olympian. But this time, his journey is controversial due to his past.
Van de Velde, now 29, has been selected to represent the Netherlands at the Paris Games. However, his appointment has rekindled discussions about his troubling history, including a prison sentence for raping a 12-year-old girl when he was just 19.
The Dutch Olympic Committee has decided that van de Velde won’t stay in the athletes’ village or talk with the media, likely to avoid questions about his past crimes. Apart from a brief statement, neither the committee nor the Dutch Volleyball Federation has commented further.
Back in 2016, van de Velde was sentenced to four years in prison after admitting to his crime, which involved traveling to the UK to meet a girl he had been communicating with online. Their interactions, which turned sexual, drew serious legal consequences.
After serving 13 months in prison—and undergoing some legal changes when transferred back to the Netherlands—van de Velde returned to a life that included competing in international volleyball tournaments. Despite his past, he has rebuilt his career and personal life, even marrying a fellow athlete and becoming a father.
Van de Velde’s selection for the Olympics has sparked a backlash from various groups, with some calling for a zero-tolerance approach against sex offenders in sports. A recent petition demanding the IOC to ban such individuals gained nearly 81,000 signatures, underscoring deep public concern.
Critics have voiced their anger, urging institutions to reflect on the implications and responsibilities tied to having an offender like van de Velde represent a country in a prestigious event like the Olympics.
As he prepares for his first match in Paris with his partner, Matthew Immers, the mixed sentiments around his participation loom over what is meant to be a triumphant moment in his career.
