Australia Rules Out Convicted Rapist Olympian from Selection.

Multi Sports General

Australia Rules Out Convicted Rapist Olympian from Selection.

Australian Olympics chief Anna Meares stated that a convicted rapist would not be selected for the team, following the inclusion of Steven van de Velde in the Netherlands beach volleyball squad for Paris 2024.

Steven van de Velde, now 29, was sentenced to four years in 2016 for raping a 12-year-old British girl when he was 19. After serving just 12 months, he resumed his volleyball career and was recently selected for the Dutch Olympic team for Paris 2024.

Australian Olympics chief Anna Meares stated that a convicted rapist would not be chosen for the Australian team. "If an athlete or staff member had that conviction, they would not be part of our team," Meares said, highlighting their strict safeguarding policies.

In response to Van de Velde’s selection, the Dutch Olympic Committee (NOC) noted that he had received professional counseling and shown self-insight and reflection.