The Dutch Olympian who was convicted in 2016 of raping a 12-year-old girl in England advanced to the knockout round of the beach volleyball tournament Friday.
Netherlands' Steven Van De Velde hits the ball during the men's pool B beach volleyball match between Norway and Netherlands at Eiffel Tower Stadium at the 2024 Summer Olympics , Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Paris, France.
Van de Velde, 29, served 13 months in prison after his 2016 rape conviction. Although victims advocates, lawmakers and fans have called for him to be banned from the Olympics, the IOC has said it was powerless to stop the Netherlands from sending an athlete who qualified in the usual way. The Dutch lost in straight sets to Tokyo gold medalists Anders Mol and Christian Sorum on Friday, with fans again booing and whistling at Van de Velde on every serve. Norway's 21-16, 21-19 victory was sealed when Van de Velde served long on match point, drawing hoots and whistles from the crowd.
Olympics Beach Volleyball Conviction Knockout Round Van De Velde Rape IOC
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