Convicted Athlete Contemplates Quitting Amidst Backlash

Steven van de Velde, a Dutch beach volleyball player, is considering retiring from the sport due to fierce criticism over his participation in international tournaments. Van de Velde, a convicted rapist, faced jeers during the Paris Olympics and is currently competing in the European Beach Volleyball Championships.

Steven van de Velde, a Netherlands beach volleyball player and convicted rapist, has hinted at potentially quitting the sport amid ongoing objections to his international tournament participation. Currently competing in the European Beach Volleyball Championships, Van de Velde faced widespread criticism, especially during the Paris Olympics, where sections of the crowd jeered him.

In an exclusive interview post-Games, Van de Velde expressed uncertainty about his future in volleyball. "It was a tough experience, one that I haven't fully processed yet. The conclusion can certainly be - this is not worth it. Certainly for my family. So I will certainly take their opinion into account," he disclosed to Dutch NOS television.

Convicted of raping a 12-year-old girl in 2016 when he was 19, Van de Velde was sentenced to four years in prison, serving 13 months before his crime was reclassified under Dutch law. He returned to the sport in 2017, but faced condemnation from delegations and women's rights groups when selected for the Paris games. (Writing by Mark Gleeson in Cape Town; Editing by Jon Boyle)

(With inputs from agencies.)