During his first game, controversial Olympian Steven van de Velde, who plays volleyball for the Dutch team, was met with hostility.
1722346494.jpg from GettyImagesMatthew Immers (left) and van de Velde (right) are representing their respective countries. Pablo Morano/BSR Agency/Getty Images is credited.
As was previously mentioned, the Netherlands-born van de Velde was found guilty of rape in 2016 after he traveled to the UK to have sex with a 12-year-old girl he met on Facebook.
He was given a four-year term for three charges of child rape after pleading guilty to his conduct.
After serving a portion of his sentence in England, Van de Velde was returned to the Netherlands to spend the remainder of his sentence, which was modified in accordance with Dutch legislation.
The National Olympic Committee (NOC*NSF) and the Dutch Volleyball Federation (Nevobo) both support his participation in the Olympics notwithstanding his sentence.
During his first game in the Olympics in Paris, Van de Velde encountered an unfriendly crowd.
JPG image #GS2322392906.Despite his prior conviction, Steven van de Velde qualified for the Olympics in Paris. Pablo Morano/BSR Agency/Getty Images is credited.
As the 29-year-old stepped to the sand court, the Champs de Mars park throng, which is located under the Eiffel Tower, noisily jeered him.
Van de Velde faced up against Adrian Carambula and Alex Ranghieri of Italy along with 23-year-old Matthew Immers.
Van de Velde and Immers lost their first game 2-1 against the Italian squad, despite early whistles and jeers.
Van de Velde played in the Netherlands’ blue and orange number one shirt, seemingly unmoved by the cheers of the audience.
He didn’t seem to be responding to the jeers when he took off his sunglasses other than to wipe perspiration off his brow.
After the Dutch team defeated the Italians in the first set, Dutch supporters cheered and chanted “Nederlands” throughout the second set. But in the decisive set, the Italians prevailed, winning 2-1.
Boos -and some applause – as Steven van de Velde, who was convicted of raping a 12-year-old British girl when he was 19, enters the Stadium with his partner Matthew Immers. The boos were more audible when he was later introduced separately #PARIS2024 pic.twitter.com/yJGjxXKzE9
— Alexandra Topping (@LexyTopping) July 28, 2024
Van de Velde will compete in Pool B against teams from Chile and Norway for a minimum of two more matches in the competition. The majority of social media responses to van de Velde playing in the game were unfavorable.
“While normally I’m a proud Dutchie, today I’m ashamed of my country,” a Dutch fan commented on Facebook. It is very shameful to allow Steven van de Velde to participate.
JPG file GettyImages-1722386974.According to Van de Velde, his actions were “unacceptable.” Pablo Morano/BSR Agency/Getty is credited.
Following the victory, one Italian fan wrote: “What a glorious moment for Italy! Adrian Carambula and Alex Ranghieri overcame Steven van de Velde, a child rapist, and his equally repulsive accomplice, Matthew Immers. Grazie ragazzi!”
Journalist Laura Scott of BBC Sport, who was in the stadium, tweeted about the response from the crowd: “There was obvious jeering when van de Velde was presented to the fans one-on-one.
“A lot of individuals I spoke to outside expressed disappointment that he was here and that it went against Olympic ideals. However, other Dutch supporters said they will stand with him since they believe he has served his sentence.”
