Paula Radcliffe apologises for wishing 'good luck' to convicted rapist at Olympics

Radcliffe had suggested the beach volleyball player Steven van de Velde should not be punished twice after being convicted for raping a 12-year-old girl when he was 19

After being criticised for her comments, Radcliffe admitted she had got it wrong. Picture: Adam Davy/PA Wire

Paula Radcliffe has apologised for wishing “good luck” to a convicted rapist when he competes for the Netherlands at the Paris Olympics next week.

The BBC pundit and four-time Olympian had suggested the beach volleyball player Steven van de Velde should not be punished twice after being convicted for raping a 12-year-old girl when he was 19.