Dutch athlete van de Velde retires from Olympics amid controversy
The most controversial athlete is saying goodbye to the Olympic Games. Dutch volleyball player Steven van de Velde previously served a sentence for raping a child. Spectators booed him almost every time he touched the ball. Fans celebrated when it became clear that it was his last day at the major event.
Twenty-nine-year-old Steven van de Velde admitted to raping a 12-year-old British girl in 2016, which he committed when he was 19 years old. The court sentenced him to 4 years in prison. Ultimately, he served less than 19 weeks.
The Dutchman maintained that the intercourse was consensual. At that time, the volleyball player was already representing his country. The news of van de Velde's arrival electrified almost the entire country, but the local association did not intend to change its decision, and the 29-year-old flew to Paris. The International Olympic Committee argued it could not force the Netherlands to change the squad.
At every match, the Dutchman was "greeted" by the audience with boos and jeers. He was also specially treated as he was not required to give interviews after the matches.
Steven van de Velde says goodbye to the Olympics
A beach volleyball match was held between the Netherlands and Brazil on Sunday evening. The South American representatives defeated the Europeans 2-0. According to "The Sun," fans cheered for the Dutch defeat.
Van de Velde seemed to put on a "brave face." First, he thanked the referees and opponents, and then his partner. He also waved to the gathered fans, but even those dressed in orange booed him.
