A convicted rapist would not be chosen for the Australian Olympics team, says chief Anna Meares, following the inclusion of Steven van de Velde in the Netherlands squad for Paris 2024. Van de Velde, now 29, was sentenced to four years in prison in 2016 after pleading guilty to raping a 12-year-old British girl when he was 19. The Dutchman met his victim on Facebook, traveled from Amsterdam to the UK, and committed the crime at an address in Milton Keynes.
After serving just 12 months of his sentence, Van de Velde resumed his volleyball career and was selected in June for the Dutch Olympic team for Paris. Although Meares did not specifically address the Dutch team's decision, she made it clear that Australia would not allow a convicted rapist to be part of their team. "If an athlete or staff member had that conviction, they would not be allowed to be a member of our team," Meares said, emphasizing the stringent safeguarding policies within the Australian team.
The Dutch Olympic Committee (NOC) stated that after his release, Van de Velde sought and received professional counseling, showing self-insight and reflection both privately and professionally. His return to the sport adhered to the guidelines set by the Dutch Volleyball Federation (NeVoBo), which outlines conditions for athletes to resume competing after a conviction.
Despite the International Olympic Committee (IOC) noting that athlete selection for the Games is the responsibility of individual committees, Van de Velde's participation has sparked controversy. According to Dutch outlet NL Times, Van de Velde will not stay in the athletes' village but will be provided with alternative accommodation in Paris. His inclusion has been criticized by women's safety groups.
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