Dutch beach volleyball player who raped child breaks silence over Olympics

Steven van de Velde served 13 months in prison after his 2016 rape conviction in England

Steven van de Velde and his partner Matthew Immers played four matches in the tournament and Van de Velde was repeatedly subjected to a stream of hoots and whistles. Picture: PA

Dutch beach volleyball player Steven van de Velde, who was convicted of raping a 12-year-old British girl in 2016, said on Tuesday that he considered quitting the Paris Olympics amid the controversy surrounding his participation.

Van de Velde and his partner Matthew Immers reached the quarterfinals in Paris, where they lost to Brazil in straight sets. The pair played four matches in the tournament and Van de Velde was repeatedly subjected to a stream of hoots and whistles.