Convicted rapist Steven van de Velde received a negative reception from fans during his first appearance at the Olympics.

On a quiet Sunday morning in Paris, all eyes were on Steven van de Velde as he made his first appearance at the Olympic Games. However, instead of cheers and applause, the Dutch beach volleyball player was met with boos from the spectators. Representing Netherlands as part of the beach volleyball squad, Van de Velde's past actions had caused quite a stir in the weeks leading up to the Games.

In 2016, at the age of 19, Van de Velde had pleaded guilty to raping a 12-year-old British girl. He was sentenced to four years in prison, but after serving only 12 months, he resumed his volleyball career. Despite the controversy surrounding his inclusion in the Dutch squad, Van de Velde had been named in the Olympic team back in June.

As he stepped onto the court for Netherlands' opening match against Italy, Van de Velde could feel the weight of the crowd's disapproval. His partner, Matthew Immers, stood by his side as they prepared to face off against Alex Ranghieri and Adrian Carambula. But the boos continued, even as the game began.

While many had criticized the decision to have Van de Velde on the team, the Dutch selectors stood by their choice. Team boss Pieter van den Hoogenband explained that "measures" had been taken to ensure Van de Velde's participation at the Games. This included not allowing him to speak to the media and housing him away from the athlete's village.

Van den Hoogenband, a gold medalist in swimming at the 2000 and 2004 Olympics, defended their decision, stating that Van de Velde had been active in international sports for a long time and had even competed in World Cups, European Championships, and World Championships. However, he acknowledged that things were different at the Olympics, where everything seemed to be exaggerated.

As the match continued, Van de Velde and Immers put up a tough fight against their opponents. Despite the boos and disapproval, they remained focused on the game. And in the end, it was their determination that earned them the victory. Van de Velde's skills on the court could not be denied, and the Dutch team's support for their teammate remained strong.

It was a difficult start for Van de Velde at the Paris Olympic Games, but as the tournament continues, there is sure to be more to come from this determined athlete.

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