
During the Paris 2024 Olympics, there was an elephant in the room — a rapist named Steven van de Velde.
Early last year, it came to light that Dutch Olympic officials had allowed the volleyball player, a convicted child rapist, to compete in the 2024 Games.
Van de Velde was convicted in 2016, at the age of 19, for the rape of a 12-year-old British schoolgirl, in what was described as a "planned, calculated" assault.
The athlete was sentenced to four years in prison for the crime, but was released after one year. Despite widespread criticism, he was chosen to represent the Netherlands at the Olympic Games.
The 31-year-old was heckled and booed during his appearances.
Now, van de Velde is vying to come to Australia to compete in the Beach Volleyball World Championships, to be held in Adelaide next month.
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On Tuesday, van de Velde was listed as a competitor for the Netherlands in the upcoming Adelaide competition, prompting widespread criticism.
According to the Volleyball World website, van de Velde is listed to play alongside teammate Alexander Brouwer on November 14, 15 and 17.