A convicted child rapist will be representing The Netherlands in men’s beach volleyball at the 2024 Paris Olympics. 

In 2014, Steven Van De Velde, then 19, flew to Milton Keynes, England, and raped a 12-year-old child he met on Facebook

We need to protect our children and hold athletes to the standard of morality. It is with this belief that I bring to light the case of Steven van de Velde, a convicted sexual offender who is slated to represent his country in the Olympic games. In spite of being sentenced to four years for sexually assaulting a 12-year-old, he was allowed to walk free after a paltry 12 months. We cannot turn a blind eye to such grave injustice and permit him to compete in a global sporting event revered for its ethos of unity and respect. Factually supported, sexual assault victims suffer from severe and prolonged mental health issues (World Health Organization). Enabling a convicted offender to participate in the Olympics is dismissive of these struggles, setting a dangerous precedent for aspiring athletes worldwide. Join me in demanding the International Olympics Committee to prohibit Steven van de Velde from participating in any future Olympic Games – a serial compromise on the safety of our children and the integrity of competitive sports can be accepted no more. Sign this petition today.