DUTCH athlete Steven van de Velde has been booed by fans before making his Olympics debut.
Van de Velde was sentenced to four years in prison in 2016 after pleading guilty to raping a 12-year-old British girl when he was 19.
PAConvicted child rapist Steven van de Velde was booed by fans before making his Olympics debut[/caption]
RexVan de Velde is making was playing in the beach volleyball match against Italy[/caption]
The 29-year-old is representing the Netherlands in beach volleyball in Paris alongside 23-year-old doubles partner Matthew Simmers.
As he entered the court for the opening match against Italy on Sunday, he was greeted by loud boos as his name was called out by the stadium announcer at Champs de Mars park.
Van de Velde, who was named in the Dutch team in June after serving 12 months of his sentence, was BANISHED from the Paris Olympics athletes’ village amid the outrage over his inclusion.
Team boss Pieter van den Hoogenband said “measures” had been taken to facilitate Van de Velde’s participation, such as keeping him away from the other athletes and media at the Games.
When he arrived in Paris by train he was flagged by a huge security team as they walked him to his alternative hotel room in the capital.
The Dutch Olympic committee had told world volleyball he had shown “self-insight and reflection”.
In protest against his inclusion, 81,000 people signed a petition calling for all known sex offenders to be banned from the Olympics indefinitely.
Fans and human rights groups have labelled the move a “shameful appointment” to allow him to compete.
Even the International Olympic Committee has sought to distance themselves from the controversial athlete.
Seemingly referencing the Dutchman, they said: “The nomination of individual team members, following qualification on the field of play, is the sole responsibility of each respective National Olympic Committee.”
More to follow.
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