Steven van de Velde, who served jail time for raping a British girl, burst into tears in his first interview since competing at the Olympics. The 30-year-old was selected to play beach volleyball for the Netherlands in a decision which sparked outrage before and during the Games.

Van de Velde was loudly booed and jeered by fans during matches, while the Dutch Olympic Committee took action to protect him from media scrutiny. They ensured he took no part in media interactions during the Games while he also stayed in private accommodation outside the Olympic village. The beach volleyball player was sentenced to four years in prison in 2016 after pleading guilty to raping a 12-year-old girl two years earlier. Police were alerted to the rape after his victim sought the morning after pill at a family planning clinic.

Van de Velde, who served just 12 months of his four-year sentence before he was released, gave his first interview since the Olympics to NOS and broke down in tears while recalling the public backlash he received.

"I definitely had a moment of breaking down, both before the tournament and during it," he said. "But I thought: 'I'm not going to give others the power to bully me away or get me away'. It's certainly not nothing that's been fired at you. I think it's a shame. It's been 10 years. "I've played more than 100 tournaments. I understand that it's an issue, should someone with such a past be allowed to stand on such a podium? That's a legitimate question. I did something wrong 10 years ago and I have to accept that

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Source: https://www.express.co.uk/sport/othersport/1935684/Steven-van-de-Velde-interview-Olympics

Sexual Assualt against a minor is a very disgusting and unforgivable offence.

What is disturbing and heartbreaking is the fact that it is rampant in so called places of worship.

Alot of children are abused or exposed to child abusers all because of loyalty to one's religion.

I have created a thread on this topic to advise parents on how to be protective of their children in their place of worship.

If you are a parent, I will appreciate it if you take a few seconds to read that thread.

Four years and he served just twelve months. He’s exceedingly lucky. That should have given him life sentence.

Booing him would keep reminding him of the offence and add to his punishment. Again, it should serve as a reminder to him that rape is not accepted in all societies worldwide.

The truth is, the world is unforgiving and give no room for second chances, so we have to be very careful of our actions.

No amount of gold medal can erase the memory of you as a child rapist.

He should have known that before he decided to compete in the Olympics.

BitterPost:
I have created a thread on this topic to advise parents on how to be protective of their children in their place of worship.

You should have put the link. Anyway you're welcome.

Link: https://www.nairaland.com/8184316/address-public-religion-child-sexual

Why boo him?

Nobody is perfect.

Don't we all deserve a second chance.
Human beings sef

Hey, you there reading this, don't even think of quoting me. Just keep scrolling.

Very difficult to overcome this kind of sin
Will always come back to hurt him

People make mistakes. Grievous ones. A lot of people have and claim higher ground only because they haven't been caught especially in Nigeria here. That said his offence is ignominous but I don't know about hounding him for the rest of his life especially if he can truly change and even make an impact on society. I think rapists should have the death penalty but the same people who hound them oppose that sanction. If this is to be their lot everywhere they go or everywhere they work even if they have families then prescribe the death penalty for minor sex offenders and get it over with once and for all.

Unfortunately some stains will stick to you for a long time

What?
Raping a 12 year old?

Nigeria should try follow this pattern so people will know who rapists and armed robbers are

He is sober and remorseful ,
But his atrocity will follow him till he dies.

Imagine if it was a Non white who committed this crime.


This man raped a minor and did just 12 months.


Black men where killed for just looking at white women.


White people are bigots and evil

Child rapist. What a lifetime tag!

He committed the crime at age 20. A 20 years man na adult already.

Never let your dick direct you. Stay in control always.

Don't dull.

I blame the US for pedestalising a RAPIST and a suspected PEDOPHILE like Donald Trump.

They are the ones giving DERANGED people like this one a platform to stand on.

Imagine a rapist PEDOPHILE who traimatised a 12-year old CHILD and only spent JUST 12 months in jail crying to the media that he was being BOOED.

The IDIOT said it was 10 years ago. So people should leave him alone.

He has ZERO remorse.

People like this guy should be CASTRATED with a jagged rock and left to ROT in prison NOT given a platform in a MULTINATIONAL competition like the Olympics.

Served 12 months If na my daughter i will definitely 🥱 him

Lucky him.....he is white. A black or Arab origin offender wouldn't come out from that jail.

Eh yaa

I am absolutely outraged that the Netherlands Olympics committee would even consider fielding a convicted rapist on their Olympic volleyball team, let alone someone who committed their crime as a minor. This shows a complete disregard for the seriousness of sexual assault and sends a horrible message to victims.
What kind of example does this set for young athletes? It tells them that you can commit heinous acts and still be rewarded with the honor of representing your country on the world stage. It's a slap in the face to everyone who has worked hard and maintained their integrity to earn a spot on the Olympic team.
The Olympics are supposed to showcase the best of humanity - not give a platform to criminals. The Netherlands Olympic Committee should be ashamed of themselves for valuing athletic talent over basic human decency and respect for the law. They need to immediately remove this player from the team and issue a sincere apology.
This decision is an insult to all the survivors of sexual assault. It tells them that their trauma doesn't matter as long as their abuser can score points on a volleyball court. The Netherlands Olympics committee has failed victims everywhere with this unconscionable choice.

I will never understand how a mature male adult would find a 12 year old girl sexually attractive enough to get an erection!

HumansAreDemons:
Why boo him?

Nobody is perfect.

Don't we all deserve a second chance.
Human beings sef

Hey, you there reading this, don't even think of quoting me. Just keep scrolling.

Crocodile tears! Rape is a premeditated crime and every offender should rot in jail forever.

Sad

I hate rapist.

martineverest:
Gosh!What was Netherlands thinking?... fielding a minor rapist into @ national team is the most disgusting act in Paris Olympics


A minor rapist for that matter...........so appalling,barbaric and outrageous

What the fúck is a minor rapist?!

In my book a rapist is a rapist, period!

What's the crocodile tears for, you this motherfuccka?

ednut1:
Served 12 months If na my daughter i will definitely 🥱 him

Normal...💅💅

He was just 20yeard old when he committed the offence. Additionally, he has served his sentence , so what the heck are they boing him for? Majority of those fools booing him does worse behind the scene.

BitterPost:
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Source: https://www.express.co.uk/sport/othersport/1935684/Steven-van-de-Velde-interview-Olympics

nlfpmod
Mynd44

He is very lucky that he is not a Nigerian. No rapist would be chosen to represent Nigeria in any international competition

Kobicove:


What the fúck is a minor rapist?!

In my book a rapist is a rapist, period!

Rape is rape but a minor rapist is worse. He should never breathe the same air we breathe. I may forgive a rapist in the long run but I can never forgive a minor rapist. Rape a grown woman, she may heal but a child? It takes a monster to rape a woman but it takes a devil to rape a child.

Omo


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vnCeXD_ExEU