The International Olympic Committee said on Saturday (27/7) that it was satisfied with the explanations provided by the Dutch Olympic Committee (NOC) about the participation of a convicted rapist in the Paris Games and that he would compete as planned.
Steven van de Velde, who was included in the Dutch squad for Paris last month, was sentenced to four years in prison in Britain in 2016 for raping a 12-year-old girl two years earlier, when he was 19.
After serving part of his sentence in Britain, he was transferred to the Netherlands, so his sentence would be subject to Dutch law.
Van de Velde returned to beach volleyball in 2017 and will compete in Paris on Sunday in the men’s qualifying round.
“Calling it comfortable and happy wouldn’t be right.”IOC spokesman Mark Adams told a news conference when asked if the IOC was comfortable with Van de Velde’s situation.
“We made it clear that we are in long negotiations with the Dutch Olympic Committee. A crime happened 10 years ago, a lot of rehabilitation has been done and there is strong protection”He continued.
“The athlete does not even live in the village. We feel that the Dutch Olympic Committee has explained its decision. Comfortable and happy, call it what you want, but the statement they gave us is correct and we will continue with the situation as it is.”.
The Dutch national team took steps to mitigate the impact of Van de Velde’s participation by moving him to alternative accommodation in Paris rather than the Athletes’ Village. He was also banned from speaking to the media.
Her selection angered women’s rights and sports groups, who said the decision to include the athlete on her country’s Olympic team sent the wrong message.
The selection of athletes for the Olympic Games is the responsibility of each national Olympic Committee, but the IOC has the right to revoke the accreditation of athletes, technical staff or officials.
Source: Reuters