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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Alexandra Topping at the Eiffel Tower Stadium

Dutch child rapist greeted with boos – and applause – before Olympics loss

Van de Velde Olympics Steven van de Velde Matthew Immers Netherlands the International Olympic Committee
Steven van de Velde of the Netherlands
Steven van de Velde received a mixed reception at the Eiffel Tower Stadium. Photograph: Louise Delmotte/AP

A convicted child rapist competing for the Netherlands at the Paris 2024 Olympics was met with boos – and some applause – as he walked out for his first beach volleyball match on Sunday.

Steven van de Velde, who was convicted for raping a 12-year-old girl in 2016, lost his first game with partner Matthew Immers. The beach volleyball player has been at the centre of a storm in Paris after victims’ groups said his inclusion sent a dangerous message to rapists and would cause “collateral damage” to victims of sexual abuse.

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