Integrity at Stake: The Controversy Surrounding a Sex Offender in the Olympics
Trigger Warning: This story mentions sexual assault and rape.
What happens when criminal backgrounds don't matter for Olympic athletes?
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The Olympics is known for being one of the world's most prestigious and inspiring sporting events. Athletes' journey to the Olympics comes at a physical and mental cost. The Olympic committee holds these athletes to high physical standards, which may result in suspension or inability to compete when the integrity of the athletes is questioned.
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In 2021, Sha'Carri Richardson was unable to compete in the Tokyo Games due to a positive marijuana drug test following her mother's death. As a result, Richardson's dreams of competing in those Olympics were taken away. Luckily, Sha'Carri was able to come back stronger than ever this year and has reserved her place on Team USA without any other allegations or infractions. Yet, ahead of the Paris Games, one athlete will be competing even after being convicted of a serious and heinous crime.
Dutch volleyball player Steven van de Velde was charged with raping a child in 2014 and was placed on the permanent sex offenders registry in the U.K. After his sentence in 2016 and serving only one year in prison; Van de Velde returned to international competition in 2017. He and his beach volleyball partner, Matthew Immers, earned enough points during the international tour that they were able to qualify for the Dutch Olympic team.
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"He is proving to be an exemplary professional and human being, and there has been no reason to doubt him since his return. We fully support him and his participation in Paris, which he and Matthew have earned," Nevobo, the Dutch volleyball federation, said in a statement. The NOC*NSF (The Dutch Olympic Committee*Dutch Sports Federation) agrees that van de Velde should be able to compete at the Olympics.
Despite the Dutch committee's support, many people have turned to the internet to express why this is unacceptable. Charlotte Proudman, a barrister in the U.K., went as far to ask the question, "Why would girls and women report rape when society protects men and lets their lives continue unscathed, ignoring the trauma inflicted on victims?"
Van de Velde's ability to participate in the Olympics after committing such a crime jeopardizes the integrity of the Olympic Games. The problematic nature of his competing affects many people. The Sports Ethics Examiner shares how permitting convicted offenders to participate in the Olympics challenges the ethical and moral standards that are expected of athletes and in the Olympic events and calls into question the ethical imbalance of the situation.
Banning Richardson in 2021 and allowing van de Velde to compete leads many to believe that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) cares more about the integrity of their athlete's performance than they do for the safety of individuals and the ethical conduct throughout the Games. The decision to overlook van de Velde's criminal background while holding Sha'Carri accountable could ultimately hurt athletes, fans, and sponsors' trust in the IOC and Olympic Games. Not to mention that van de Velde's participation skews the inspiring nature of the athletes competing.
Many are now calling for stricter eligibility guidelines to be established to protect fans, athletes, and survivors of sexual assault. By not permitting Steven van de Velde to compete in the Olympics, the IOC would show athletes that they value their safety throughout the games and endorse human rights within all areas of the competition. This would set a crucial precedent that the protection of sexual assault survivors and the integrity and well-being of all participants in the Olympic Games is a valuable part of the Olympic Games.