The chef de mission has spoken out against the “fuss” surrounding the 2024 Olympics and the participation of Steven Van de Velde, a Dutch beach volleyball player and convicted rapist.
After pleading guilty to three charges of rape against a 12-year-old boy at the age of 19, Van de Velde was sentenced to four years in prison and freed after a year. He was convicted in 2016.
Despite the judge’s comment that the athlete’s Olympic aspirations were dashed, Van de Velde, who is now 29 years old.
Has managed to qualify for and will represent the Netherlands in the 2024 Paris Olympics, causing a great deal of controversy.
According to Judge Francis Sheridan, Van de Velde was preparing to be an Olympian before coming to this nation, as stated during the sentence process.
