Clicky

  • Login
  • Register
  • Submit Your Content
  • Contact Us
Wednesday, August 21, 2024
World Tribune
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Business
  • Technology
  • Sports
  • Health
  • Food
Submit
  • Home
  • News
  • Business
  • Technology
  • Sports
  • Health
  • Food
No Result
View All Result
World Tribune
No Result
View All Result

Steven van de Velde, Olympian convicted of rape, cries in first interview after Games

August 13, 2024
in Sports
Reading Time: 3 mins read
A A
Steven van de Velde, Olympian convicted of rape, cries in first interview after Games
0
SHARES
ShareShareShareShareShare

Steven van de Velde, Olympian convicted of rape, cries in first interview after Games

Dutch beach volleyball Olympian Steven van de Velde, who was convicted in 2016 of raping an underage girl, cried in his first comments since being booed for his much-debated inclusion at the Paris Games.

Van de Velde, 30, did not speak to reporters during the Olympics and told Dutch outlet NOS that he considered quitting both before and during the Games due to the backlash.

“I thought, ‘I don’t want that. I’m not going to give others the power to decide they can bully me away or get rid of me,’” he said to the outlet, per the Associated Press.

Netherlands volleyball player Steven van de Velde gestures as he addresses media representatives during a press conference at the European Beach Volleyball Championships in The Hague on Aug. 13, 2024, following his participation in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. ANP/AFP via Getty Images

Van de Velde’s participation in the 2024 Olympics became a controversial topic due to his criminal past.

He spent 13 months in prison for having sex with a 12-year-old girl after originally receiving a four-year sentence, per the AP.

Van de Velde returned to the sport in 2017 and qualified for the Olympics alongside partner Matthew Immers.

Dutch Volleyball Federation general director Michel Everaert championed van de Velde’s inclusion, while the Dutch National Olympic committee said he met all the qualification requirements.

“He was convicted at the time according to English law and he has served his sentence. From then on, we have been in constant contact with Steven, who has now been fully reintegrated into the Dutch volleyball community,” Everaert said in a statement posted to volleyball.nl. ‘He is proving to be an exemplary professional and human being and there has been no reason to doubt him since his return. We fully support him and his participation in Paris, which he and Matthew have earned.” 

Steven van de Velde speaking at a press conference on Aug. 13, 2024. ANP/AFP via Getty Images

While he made the team, van de Velde acknowledged the reception that awaited him in Paris.

Van de Velde did not speak to reporters during the event at the Dutch Olympic Committe’s behest, while also staying outside the Olympic Village.

“I understand that in the run-up to the biggest sporting event in the world, this can attract the attention of international media,” Van de Velde said in the statement posted.

“I cannot reverse it, so I will have to bear the consequences. It has been the biggest mistake of my life.”


2024 PARIS OLYMPICS


Van de Velde and Immers lost to Brazil in the round of 16 to end their Olympics run, with the AP reporting he was “subjected to a steady stream of hoots and whistles each time he served the ball.”

He said those reactions affected the duo’s play.

“So there is certainly a very good chance that it has had an influence on our game,” van de Velde told NOS. “If I think about how much I was focused on peripheral matters — with how I want to be on the field instead of with tactics against the opponent — then you can say that that has had an influence, but there is no point in passing the buck.”

Steven van de Velde during the 2024 Olympics. REUTERS

He understood why he received the reception he did.

“Do you want somebody with a history? Can he stand on the podium? That is a legitimate question to ask,” he told NOS.

He added: “I’m not the person I was 10 years ago.”

Van de Velde has since married Kim Behrens, a German volleyball player, and the pair has a son.

“I can’t change what people think of me,” van de Velde said to NOS. “Someone can hold me responsible forever for what happened and that’s OK, because that’s what it is. It is their right. So, I accept that.”

Credit: Source link

READ ALSO

Kevin James recreates viral video in electric Mets moment

Mets hope Francisco Alvarez’s walk-off homer a breakout sign

ShareTweetSendSharePin
Previous Post

Google’s Pixel 9 series won’t launch with Android 15

Next Post

The Google Pixel 9, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold and everything announced at the Made by Google event

Related Posts

Kevin James recreates viral video in electric Mets moment
Sports

Kevin James recreates viral video in electric Mets moment

August 21, 2024
Mets hope Francisco Alvarez’s walk-off homer a breakout sign
Sports

Mets hope Francisco Alvarez’s walk-off homer a breakout sign

August 21, 2024
Jannik Sinner should be ‘gone for 2 years’ over steroid test: Kyrgios
Sports

Jannik Sinner should be ‘gone for 2 years’ over steroid test: Kyrgios

August 21, 2024
Brian Cashman opens up on whether Yankees would demote Anthony Volpe
Sports

Brian Cashman opens up on whether Yankees would demote Anthony Volpe

August 20, 2024
‘Troubling’ part of Sam Ponder’s ESPN firing
Sports

‘Troubling’ part of Sam Ponder’s ESPN firing

August 20, 2024
Sauce Gardner-Malik Nabers the Main Event of Jets-Giants practices
Sports

Sauce Gardner-Malik Nabers the Main Event of Jets-Giants practices

August 20, 2024
Next Post
The Google Pixel 9, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold and everything announced at the Made by Google event

The Google Pixel 9, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold and everything announced at the Made by Google event

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

What's New Here!

2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E GT review: A thrilling mix of pedigree and electricity

2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E GT review: A thrilling mix of pedigree and electricity

August 1, 2024
Where to stay and how to spend your money in Singapore

Where to stay and how to spend your money in Singapore

August 19, 2024
Meta’s Reality Labs posts .5 billion loss in second quarter

Meta’s Reality Labs posts $4.5 billion loss in second quarter

July 31, 2024
Gold price outlook: Wall Street forecasts nearing ,000

Gold price outlook: Wall Street forecasts nearing $3,000

August 18, 2024
China’s new loans hit a 15-year low, but investors ‘should not panic’

China’s new loans hit a 15-year low, but investors ‘should not panic’

August 16, 2024
Apple Music is currently offering new subscribers three months free

Apple Music is currently offering new subscribers three months free

August 19, 2024
Patrick Mahomes credits Taylor Swift for Travis Kelce’s new hair style

Patrick Mahomes credits Taylor Swift for Travis Kelce’s new hair style

August 14, 2024

About

World Tribune is an online news portal that shares the latest news on world, business, health, tech, sports, and related topics.

Follow us

Recent Posts

  • Volatility spike was a ‘huge overreaction,’ but more could be ahead, strategist says
  • The EU wants no corner of the digital sphere left untouched, warning X and AI could be next
  • Kevin James recreates viral video in electric Mets moment
  • Japan trade on deck, Wall Street rally pauses

Newslatter

Loading
  • Submit Your Content
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • DMCA

© 2024 World Tribune - All Rights Reserved!

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Business
  • Technology
  • Sports
  • Health
  • Food

© 2024 World Tribune - All Rights Reserved!

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In