Convicted Dutch Olympian Faces Mixed Reactions at Paris Beach Volleyball Debut

Steven van de Velde, who served prison time for a sex crime, competes under a cloud of controversy at the 2024 Paris Olympics

Van de Velde received both boos and applause during his introduction before losing to Italy.
The Dutch team decided to shield him from media to focus on athletic performance.
His criminal record resurfaced as a point of contention despite a two-year qualifying period.
The International Volleyball Federation stated it could not prevent his participation.
Van de Velde's next match is against Chile, with a second loss complicating his path to the knockout stage.