Reports indicate that after being disqualified from competing in the 2024 Paris Olympics, Van de Velde was so distraught that he sobbed.
Their Olympic careers came to an end on Sunday night when they were both eliminated after losing to Brazil in straight sets, 21-16, 21-16.
Outrage ensued when Van De Velde, who was convicted, appeared at the games as a Dutch representative.
Van de Velde spent a year behind bars after being found guilty of raping a child aged 12 in the United Kingdom in 2016.
Despite facing a conviction in the UK, Van de Velde returned to participating in national sports in 2018. The inclusion of Van de Velde in the proceedings infuriated many, particularly survivors’ rights organizations.
