Ethics in the Olympics: Why is a convicted child rapist allowed to compete?
Convicted rapist Steven van de Velde is representing his country at the Olympic Games.
FILE: Convicted Child Rapist and athlete Steven Van De Velde. Picture: Maarten van Hassel via Wikimedia Commons
John Maytham speaks with Dr Liezl Groenewald, CEO elect at the Ethics Institute
Listen to the interview in the audio below.
Boos erupt from the crowd every time Dutch beach volleyball player Steven van de Velde steps on to the Olympic court.
Van de Velde was found guilty of raping a 12-year-old-girl when he was 19 and was sentenced to four years in prison in 2016.
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He served 13 months of his 4-year sentence, but many are outraged that he has been allowed to compete in the Olympic Games.
“He raped her three times in two days according to reports.”
- Dr Liezl Groenewald, CEO elect at the Ethics Institute
The Dutch Olympic Committee said that the decision to include Van de Velde came after careful consideration and had met the countries standards.
According to Groenewald, we need to ask the question about what harm was done to the victim and weigh out if it is fair for him to be allowed to represent the country despite this.
“He is now hailed as a hero by the country… People taking part in the Olympic Games should embrace the moral ideals of the game.”
- Dr Liezl Groenewald, CEO elect at the Ethics Institute
“The harm that this causes, not only to the victim but the family, needs to be taken into account in how long this person should suffer.”
- Dr Liezl Groenewald, CEO elect at the Ethics Institute
Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the interview.