Call for probe into inclusion of convicted child rapist at Olympics

Mary Crilly said the inclusion of a child rapist at the Olympics is 'appalling'. Picture: Larry Cummins

The International Olympics Committee (IOC) is being asked to investigate how a convicted child rapist is allowed to compete at Paris 2024 for the Dutch team.

Amid growing public outrage at the presence of the Netherlands beach volleyball player Steven van de Velde, who was convicted of raping a British 12-year-old girl in 2016, groups have warned that sporting bodies are sending a dangerous message to rapists and causing “collateral damage” to victims of sexual abuse.