A recent decision to include Steven van de Velde on the Dutch volleyball team for the upcoming Olympics in Paris has ignited a major controversy.
Van de Velde, 29, has a criminal past that includes a conviction for raping a 12-year-old girl in 2014.
Despite this, he’s set to compete in beach volleyball starting Sunday morning in the French capital.
Van de Velde’s selection has stirred a significant backlash, overshadowing the excitement of the Olympic Games.
His inclusion has led to heightened security measures by the Dutch Olympic committee.
They’ve prevented him from staying in the Olympic Village with his teammates and banned him from participating in media interviews.
Since serving his prison sentence, Van de Velde has rebuilt his life.
He married Kim Behrens, a well-known German volleyball player and police officer, in 2022.
Together, they have a young son.
Behrens frequently shares their family moments on social media, expressing her happiness and love for her husband.
Van de Velde initially connected with the victim through social media.
Their online conversations led him to travel to the UK, where he assaulted her in 2014.
The victim, who was just shy of her 13th birthday, later disclosed the assault to her family, prompting an investigation.
Van de Velde was arrested and sentenced to four years in prison.
Following his transfer to the Netherlands, his conviction was modified to “fornication” under Dutch law, reducing his sentence significantly.
He was released in 2017 after serving just one year.
The NSPCC criticized the reduced sentence and Van de Velde’s lack of remorse.
Following his release, he expressed regret but also frustration at being labeled a “sex monster.”
The Dutch Volleyball Association, however, allowed him to continue his career, culminating in his selection for the Paris Olympics.
Van de Velde’s family ties add another layer to the story.
His brother-in-law, Kevin Behrens, is a notable football player for VfL Wolfsburg and the German national team.
As the Olympics approach, the inclusion of Van de Velde continues to spark debate, raising questions about redemption, forgiveness, and the role of past actions in determining one’s future opportunities.
TDPel Media
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