Australia Bans Convicted Child Rapist Steven van de Velde From Beach Volleyball World Championships
Australia has denied a visa to Dutch beach volleyball player Steven van de Velde, a convicted child rapist, preventing him from competing in the world championships scheduled to begin in Adelaide on November 14. The decision underscores the Australian government’s commitment to public safety and its willingness to utilize all available measures to protect its citizens.
The Australian government’s firm stance was articulated by the minister for home affairs, who stated, “The government will continue to use every tool we have available to ensure that Australians can be safe and feel safe in their communities.”
The Dutch volleyball association acknowledged the decision, with its technical director, Heleen Crielaard, expressing regret but acceptance. “Unfortunately, we have now been informed that the decision has been made not to grant the visa. We regret this, but we have no choice but to accept the decision,” Crielaard said in a statement.
Van de Velde was sentenced in 2016 to four years in jail after pleading guilty to three counts of raping a 12-year-old British girl. The offenses occurred in August 2014, when Van de Velde was 19 years old, and were initiated through contact on social media. He ultimately served 13 months of his sentence before resuming his professional volleyball career in 2018.
Volleyball Australia CEO Andrew Dee confirmed the government’s decision on Tuesday morning. Dee emphasized the organization’s focus on delivering a successful world championship event. “As local organising committee, our focus remains on ensuring we deliver a spectacular world championships,” Dee stated. “It will be the biggest beach volleyball event in the world this year and the first time we will have nine Aussie teams proudly wearing the green and gold. That is what we all should now focus on and celebrate.”
Last year, Van de Velde faced public condemnation while competing at the Olympics in Paris, where spectators openly jeered him and his teammate, Matthew Immers, during their quarter-final match.
The decision to bar Van de Velde from entering Australia reflects a growing international trend of scrutinizing the participation of athletes with criminal records, particularly those involving serious offenses. It also highlights the complex intersection of rehabilitation, public safety, and the principles of fair play in international sports.
