Australia denies visa to Dutch Olympian convicted of child rape in UK

Steven van de Velde was denied entry to Australia (David Davies/PA)

Dutch Olympian Steven Van De Velde, who was convicted in 2016 of raping a 12-year-old girl in the UK, has been refused a visa to compete in the Beach Volleyball World Championships in Australia, the government has said.

Home affairs minister Tony Burke suggested the 31-year-old’s criminal record was the reason he had been refused a visa to compete at the tournament, which starts in Adelaide on November 14.