Tensions rise as Dutch convicted rap**t gets banned from Olympic village but allowed to participate
Van De Velde gets full support from the Dutch Olympic committee despite his controversial past.
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Van De Velde in Paris Olympics (image by CNN)
The big leagues erupted into pandemonium due to Van De Velde. The Dutch convicted rap**t got banned from the Olympic Village but was permitted to participate in the Paris Olympics. As previously announced by the NOC*NSF in a press release.
The Dutch volleyball player was sentenced to four years in prison in 2016 for a crime committed two years prior. The 29-year-old was found guilty of getting sexually involved with a 12-year-old girl while he was 19. He had met her on social media and confessed to knowing her age fully well.
The English law called it ‘rape’ and the Dutch law stated it as ‘indecent assault.’ The convicted was extradited after a year, and the punishment was adjusted to Dutch standards. He was released soon after the experts declared “zero chance” of recidivism.
The decision to stay away from the Olympic Village was Van De Velde’s own, as per previous reports. Meanwhile, his volleyball partner, Matthew Immers, was proclaimed to live in the village and talk to the press after the matches.
Van De Velde got significant heat from the English and Australian media after announcing his involvement in the Paris Olympic Games. The petition to disqualify him from the games had been filed 42000 times. Despite the statements given by the NOC*NSF, the public remained unsettled.
Van Den Hoogenband surprised at outrage towards Van De Velde
Van Den Hoogenband, former Dutch swimmer, was a “little surprised by the fuss” surrounding Van De Velde’s participation in the Olympics. In an interview with NOS, he revealed that Van De Velde had been playing since 2018. As such, he gave a startling reaction to the public outcry.
He has been active in international sports, the beach volleyball world, for a long time. He has played in World Cups, European Championships and World Championships, but then you see that things are different around the Games. That things are exaggerated around the Games.Van Den Hoogenband via interview with NOS
In response to the public, Van Den Hoogenband said that there was “no question” of the athlete not being on the team. As stated by him, he deserved the support because he qualified for the Olympic games.
NOC*NSF made a declaration of the ‘measures’ they took, among other things. This also includes the supervision of the beach volleyball players. According to the chief de mission, “he reacts well and level-headedly.” Despite the protests, Van De Velde will play in the Paris Olympics with the Dutch Olympic Committee’s full support.
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Nidhin Shibu
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