PublishedAugust 14, 2024, 11:12
Steven van de VeldeNow the rapist speaks for the first time after the Olympic appearance
The Dutchman Steven van de Velde is a convicted rapist, yet he was allowed to compete in the Olympics. He now comments on Paris.
by
Steven van de Velde participated in the Olympic Games.
This circumstance was controversial because he had been convicted of rape.
The Dutchman now speaks about his time in Paris.
He was certainly the most controversial participant at the Olympic Games in Paris, the Dutchman Steven van de Velde. The beach volleyball player raped a twelve-year-old girl in 2016 and was subsequently convicted for it. Before Paris, his participation in the Olympics was heavily debated.
Now, for the first time, the 29-year-old has commented on the past weeks, as he faced questions from the media during the European Championships. “I cannot change what people think about me,” he said. One can hold him accountable forever for what happened, “and that’s fine, because that’s just how it is. It’s their right. So I accept that.”
Eliminated in the Round of 16
Van de Velde did not have an easy time in Paris; he was booed and whistled by fans in every game. He and his teammate Matthew Immers played four matches but were eliminated in the Round of 16.
The Dutchman believes that his game was influenced by the spectators, but he did not want to blame the fans: “When I think about how much I focused on trivial matters – how I want to be on the field instead of dealing with the opponent’s tactics – then one can say that it had an impact.”
Steven van de Velde became emotional during the interview.
AFP
Despite the backlash prior to the games – a petition against his participation was launched, among other things – van de Velde decided to participate in Paris. “I thought: ‘I don’t want this. I won’t give others the power to decide that they can get rid of me or push me out.’” He also stated that he is no longer the person he was ten years ago. He is now married and has a small son.
“I can’t undo it”
Van de Velde had already referred to his earlier incident as “the biggest mistake of my life” before the games. At the time of the crime, he was 19 years old and was sentenced to four years in prison in England for raping the twelve-year-old girl. After serving part of his sentence, he was transferred to the Netherlands. “I cannot undo what has happened and I have to bear the consequences,” van de Velde said a few years ago in an interview.
His participation in the games was only approved by the IOC after a lengthy debate with the Dutch committee. However, it would not be right to describe the International Olympic Committee as “happy and satisfied” about the matter, IOC spokesperson Mark Adams said at a press conference.
Are you or someone you know being sexually harassed?
Belästigt.ch, online counseling for sexual harassment in the workplace
Directory of support services
Counseling centers of the Victim Support Switzerland