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Olympic Ethics in Question: The Cases of Steven van de Velde and Canada鈥檚 Women’s Coach

The 2024 Paris Olympics have brought together athletes from around the world to compete at the highest level. The past has a way of creeping into the present, and these athletes are no exception. Several controversy and ethical debates have emerged especially regarding the participation of certain athletes with criminal histories as reported by .

The controversy surrounding Dutch beach volleyball player Steven van de Velde, and the penalization of the coach for Canada’s women’s team are two of incidents that have been spoken of most. Steven van de Velde, a Dutch beach volleyball player, has faced immense scrutiny for his participation in the Paris Olympics.

Back in 2016, Steven van de Velde was convicted of raping a 12-year-old British girl when he was 19 years old. Although he served only 12 months of his four-year prison sentence, the Dutch Volleyball Association considered him rehabilitated and permitted him to continue his career.

However, his presence at the Olympics has not been without backlash. When Steven van de Velde stepped onto the court, the crowd鈥檚 reaction was clear, boos echoed through the stadium. Although a few Dutch fans cheered for him, the prevailing sentiment was overwhelmingly negative.

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The Dutch team鈥檚 press attache openly acknowledged the controversial choice, stating that they were effectively 鈥渟hielding a convicted child rapist鈥� to allow his participation in the games.

Campaigners, including Rape Crisis England & Wales, find it shocking. Various groups have urged the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to ban him, emphasizing that such inclusion undermines Olympic values and accountability.

In a separate controversial event, the coach of Canada鈥檚 women鈥檚 team faced consequences after operating a drone during New Zealand鈥檚 training session. This act, deemed as an attempt to gain an unfair advantage over their competitors. While this incident might not have the same moral weight as van de Velde鈥檚 case, it has nonetheless sparked debates about fair play.

The IOC and respective sports federations are now under pressure to address these issues decisively to maintain the credibility and integrity of the Games. As the world observes, the decisions made now will shape the future norms and principles of the Olympic movement.