Dutch beach volleyball player Steven van de Velde has been denied a visa to enter Australia for an upcoming world championship. The refusal stems from his 2016 conviction for raping a 12-year-old girl.
The 31-year-old athlete was scheduled to represent the Netherlands at the Beach Volleyball World Championship in Adelaide, South Australia. The competition is set to take place from November 14 to 23.
Australian authorities denied Van de Velde’s entry on October 27, according to a report by the BBC.
South Australian Attorney-General Kyam Maherd explicitly rejected the athlete’s entry. He communicated to the Australian government that Van de Velde’s crimes were "totally abominable." Maherd stated, "We do not believe foreign child sex offenders should be allowed into this country."
Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke also commented on the decision. He told the BBC that the country "will continue to use all tools available to ensure Australians can be safe and feel safe in their communities."
In response to the denial, Van de Velde reportedly told The Athletic, "We took into account that the combination of the policy of the Australian authorities and my past could pose a problem in obtaining the visa." He added that this outcome is "unacceptable" for him and his team.
Heleen Crielaard, technical director for the Dutch volleyball federation, stated the organization was "aware that this could happen." The federation had ensured all requested documents were submitted to Australian authorities in advance.
Crielaard expressed regret over the decision. She noted the federation has "no choice but to accept the decision."
Van de Velde’s teammate, Alexander Brouwer, will also be unable to compete at the international event due to this situation.
In 2016, Van de Velde pleaded guilty to three counts of raping a 12-year-old in 2014, when he was 19. He was sentenced to four years in prison.
The athlete served a total of 13 months, initially in the United Kingdom before being transferred to the Netherlands, where his sentence was reduced. He was released in 2017.
Van de Velde previously represented the Netherlands at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. His inclusion in that team sparked significant public outrage.
He acknowledged the backlash in an August 2024 interview with Dutch broadcaster NOS. Van de Velde said he "definitely had a moment where I thought about giving up." He ultimately decided not to let others "intimidate or kick me out."
During the Olympic competition, Van de Velde faced boos from sections of the audience. He stated he understood, to a degree, why people might question his presence.
"Do you want someone with a record? Can he be on the podium? It’s a legitimate question," he remarked at the time. He also noted, "I’m not the person I was ten years ago. I can’t change what people think of me."
Van de Velde and his then-teammate Matthew Immers reached the Round of 16 in the Olympic event before being defeated by Brazil.