Overview
- Australian organizers said they were informed Tuesday that Steven van de Velde will not receive a visa for the World Championships in Adelaide on 14–23 November.
- Nevobo acknowledged the decision and said it has no choice but to accept it, with van de Velde calling the outcome acceptable given Australia’s policies.
- Van de Velde was convicted in the United Kingdom in 2016 of raping a 12-year-old and received a four-year sentence, serving about one year before returning to competition.
- Interior Minister Tony Burke said the government will use all available means to ensure Australians feel safe, reflecting a hard line on entry for foreign sexual offenders.
- Event organizers said the tournament will proceed as planned and shifted focus to hosting the season’s largest beach volleyball event with nine Australian teams.