IOC played no part in Dutch decision to select convicted rapist for Paris Games

BERLIN – The Olympic ruling body said it had no role in Dutch volleyball’s decision to pick a convicted rapist for the Paris Games, a selection criticised by an advocacy group for women in sport.

Steven van de Velde was sentenced to four years in prison in Britain in 2016 following the rape of a 12-year-old girl two years earlier when he was 19.

After serving part of his sentence there, he was transferred to the Netherlands and his sentence was adjusted to the standards of Dutch law. Van de Velde returned to international competition in 2018 and was named in the Dutch Olympic beach volleyball team in June.

The Dutch Olympic Committee and the Dutch Volleyball Federation (Nevobo) are allowing van de Velde, 29, to compete based on the advice of experts who they say have deemed the chance of a repeat offence very low, according to the association’s website. 

“The nomination of individual team members, following qualification on the field of play, is the sole responsibility of each respective National Olympic Committee (NOC),” an International Olympic Committee (IOC) spokesman said.

Neither van de Velde nor the Dutch Olympic team’s beach volleyball coach could be immediately reached for comment.

The selection of athletes for the Olympics rests with each national NOC, though the IOC does send individual invitations following the national nominations. The IOC has the right either not to issue invitations or to withdraw them before or during the Olympics.

It declined to issue Paris Games invitations to some Russian and Belarusian athletes who had met qualifying criteria, following a vetting process related to their active support of the war in Ukraine or contractual links to Russia’s military.

Some athletes and rights groups have opposed van de Velde’s nomination.

“Van de Velde’s presence in the Dutch Olympic team completely disrespects and invalidates the survivor of his crimes. His participation sends a message to everyone that sporting prowess trumps crime,” said Kate Seary, co-founder and director of Kyniska Advocacy, which works for the protection and respect of women in sports.

Van de Velde admitted to the crime and said it was his worst mistake.

“It’s a huge mistake, nobody would deny that. I can’t do anything about that any more,” he told Dutch broadcaster NOS in 2018. “I cannot reverse it, so I will have to bear the consequences.”

He has the backing of Nevobo and the national sports body.

“Before he (van de Velde) expressed his desire to return to beach volleyball at the time, we spoke extensively with him but also with the NOC... among others,” Nevobo general secretary Michel Everaert said.

“We fully support him and his participation in Paris.

“He is proving to be an exemplary professional and human being and there has been no reason to doubt him since his return.”

Nevobo wrote on its website: “When van de Velde looks in the mirror now, he sees a mature and happy man, married and the father of a beautiful son.” REUTERS, NYTIMES