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submitted 3 months ago by girlfreddy@lemmy.ca to c/world@lemmy.world

A senior official with the Dutch Olympic committee has insisted that a convicted child rapist in its beach volleyball team is not a paedophile, in an email seen by the Guardian.

A concerned British man who has lived in the Netherlands for more than a decade, wrote to the Dutch Olympic committee and called the inclusion of Steven van de Velde in the team “a stain on the Dutch national side”. In a reply the Dutch Olympic committee spokesperson wrote: “Steven is NOT a peadophile [sic]; you really don’t think that de Dutch NOC would send someone to Paris who IS a real risk? No, he isn’t a risk.”

There has been mounting public anger at the presence of the beach volleyball player Van de Velde, who was convicted of raping a 12-year-old British girl in 2016. Earlier this week the International Olympic Committee faced calls for an investigation into how a convicted child rapist has been allowed to compete at Paris 2024. The IOC has said the selection of athletes for the Games was the responsibility of individual committees.

There has been mounting public anger at the presence of the beach volleyball player Van de Velde, who was convicted of raping a 12-year-old British girl in 2016. Earlier this week the International Olympic Committee faced calls for an investigation into how a convicted child rapist has been allowed to compete at Paris 2024. The IOC has said the selection of athletes for the Games was the responsibility of individual committees.

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[-] MidsizedSedan@lemmy.world 7 points 3 months ago

That girl would be 20 by now. Probably out trying to study or looking for a job, and has to see his face broadcast on the largest stage in the world...

[-] AFC1886VCC@reddthat.com 5 points 3 months ago

Steven van de Velde is a nonce

[-] spaghetti_hitchens@kbin.run 5 points 3 months ago

Can you explain the word "nonce" for me, please?

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[-] Honytawk@lemmy.zip 4 points 3 months ago

Our justice system might not be perfect, but it is the best option we have.

So if they convict someone, it is pretty much the truth until proven otherwise.

Some official doing damage control doesn't get a say in this.

[-] gmtom@lemmy.world 4 points 3 months ago

But by the extension of that logic, he has done his prison time for the crime already, so should be free to go about his life and have his job too.

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[-] Chestrade@lemmy.world 3 points 3 months ago

Well if the officials say it, then it must be true

[-] razorwiregoatlick@lemmy.world 3 points 3 months ago

I guess we will have to agree to disagree on this one.

[-] marx2k@lemmy.world 3 points 3 months ago

Ahhhhhkssshualllyyyy

[-] MilitantAtheist@lemmy.world 2 points 3 months ago
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this post was submitted on 27 Jul 2024
723 points (97.3% liked)

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