Crowds boo convicted child rapist Steven van de Velde at Olympic beach volleyball debut
manchestereveningnews.co.ukDutch child rapist Steven van de Velde was booed by members of the crowd in his 2024 Olympic Games beach volleyball debut. Van de Velde, who was imprisoned in 2016 for raping a 12-year-old British girl, has been a controversial figure at this summer's games after being handed a four-year prison sentence and serving only 12 months.
The Dutch star arrived in France earlier this week under tight security. Jeers rang out at a packed stadium as the 29-year-old took to the sand court at Champs de Mars park under the Eiffel Tower.
He was then booed again as he was introduced to the crowd for his Olympic debut. READ MORE 'I left my life and family in Dubai to move here alone at 17 - there's one thing it's taught me' The Dutchman and his doubles partner Matthew Simmers, 23, face Italy's Alex Ranghieri and Adrian Carambula with doubles partner Matthew Simmers, 23.
Van de Velde did not appear phased by the public recrimination, only removing a pair of dark, white-rimmed sunglasses to wipe away sweat from his forehead, the Mirror reports.
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