Dutch beach volleyball player Steven van de Velde encountered a mix of boos and sparse applause during his first match at the Paris Olympics on Sunday. Van de Velde, who was convicted in 2016 of having sex with a 12-year-old girl in England, has become a controversial figure in the sport.
The 29-year-old’s criminal record came under scrutiny last month when he qualified for the Olympics as one of the top two Dutch teams on the international tour. Despite his past, the International Volleyball Federation stated it could not prevent his participation after he qualified in the usual manner.
During the team introductions at the Eiffel Tower Stadium, van de Velde received noticeable jeers, which were markedly louder than during his initial appearance on the sand for warmups. His teammate Matthew Immers, along with other competitors, received unequivocal cheers from the audience.
The match proceeded without further signs of protest and unfolded under heightened attention, especially given the sunny conditions at the iconic Olympic venue. Italy’s Adrian Carambula drew significant crowd support, notably coming from behind with his partner Alex Ranghieri to win crucial points against the Dutch team.
Van de Velde and Immers managed to win the second set but eventually fell to the Italian duo, with Carambula sealing the victory with a deft final play. The Dutch pair’s next game is scheduled against Chile on Wednesday.
Amidst the athletic drama, security at the venue remained standard, with no alterations reported from the previous day of competition. Van de Velde, who has opted not to stay at the athlete’s village and has been absent from media engagements, previously expressed regret over his past actions, referring to them as “the biggest mistake of my life.
This incident has stirred discussions on eligibility and ethical standards within international sports, particularly regarding athletes with criminal records participating in high-profile events like the Olympics.
