The Daily Aus Why the Govt refused a Dutch athlete’s visa
Oct 29, 2025
A Dutch beach volleyball player has had his visa rejected due to a serious past conviction. The podcast dives into the disturbing details of his 2014 crime involving a minor and the legal repercussions he faced. It highlights the shocking discovery that led to his prosecution and the complexities of his early release under Dutch law. The backlash within the sports community is outlined, including mixed reactions from officials and fans. Finally, it explores Australia's legal grounds for denying entry to such offenders.
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Conviction And Crime Details
- Steven van de Velde, a 31-year-old Dutch beach volleyballer, raped a 12-year-old girl in England after meeting her on Facebook.
- He pleaded guilty in 2016 to three counts of child rape and was sentenced to four years in jail.
Legal Differences Changed Outcome
- Dutch law at the time treated his actions as a lesser offence compared with UK law, affecting his sentence.
- That legal difference allowed him to be released early and return to professional sport, including the 2024 Olympics.
Mixed Reaction At The Olympics
- Reaction at the Paris Olympics was mixed: fans booed him and he stayed outside the athletes' village.
- The Netherlands Volleyball Association defended his counselling and return while some officials said he would not have competed under other countries' rules.