Steven van de Velde episode leaves no winners on dark day for Paris Olympics
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Opportunities for redemption are plentiful at the Olympics in a city that is hosting the event for the third time.
Sha'Carri Richardson is being coached by Dennis Mitchell, a former athlete who was banned for doping for two years. Mitchell was caught on tape offering testosterone and human growth hormone to the athletes he later coached. Despite his controversial past, he was named the USA Athletics coach of the year last year.
Mitchell has been on his last legs in his sport's final opportunity for a while now, but somehow he's still hanging in there, with his VIP pass and yet another chance to shine.
There are numerous athletes in Paris who are now back competing after being forced to take a break. He is just one of many.
Serious mistake in decision making - the unofficial motto of the past few days - should not automatically mean the end of an athlete's career. Charlotte Dujardin, for example, withdrew from the Games after a video showed her using a whip on a horse excessively.
However, in some cases, certain actions are so terrible that they cannot be compared or equated. Sometimes, it is necessary to have different rules for different situations, even if it may not seem fair or consistent. The connection between doping and child abuse is not straightforward.
Steven van de Velde, a Dutch beach volleyball player, participated in his first Olympics on Sunday near the Eiffel Tower. This momentous occasion comes almost ten years after he admitted to sexually assaulting a 12-year-old British girl when he was 19 years old.
Following a week of overcast skies and relentless rain, the sun finally appeared in Paris on Sunday. However, it was a somber morning for the Games' history.
The crowd greeted him and his partner Matthew Immers with a mix of negative reactions as they were introduced for their first-round match against Italy's Alex Ranghieri and Adrian Carambula. But instead of facing a lot of criticism, the audience's reaction was not as hostile as expected.
However, people do not attend beach volleyball games to hold a protest, especially when tickets can cost as much as £300. The few individuals showing disapproval were quickly overshadowed by the energetic Mexican waves and lively dance music playing in the background. The fans in the stands were having a great time, enjoying the atmosphere instead of dwelling on any potential seriousness in the sport. It was a lively moment, with the DJ keeping the mood upbeat and festive.
"We discussed it once and we are looking forward to savoring every moment on this stage. We have put in all our efforts together for the past three years to earn this qualification," stated Immers.
"Steven is a great person and I have known him for two years. Some individuals are now expressing dislike towards him because he is participating in a major tournament."
The International Olympic Committee lost its credibility a long time ago. It's not enough to just talk about the importance of sports and peace when organizing such a massive event that requires huge financial support. The IOC claims to not be involved in politics, but it's hard to ignore the political aspects of the organization.
Explore the £155 million main office, situated above a Swiss lake in Lucerne, and you'll come across a higher number of attorneys than you would typically see in the White House. This is a location focused on laws and rules, where oppressive rulers and dictators are warmly welcomed, all while a French singer performs the lyrics to Imagine.
Olympic diplomacy is a delicate balancing act, which is why their president Thomas Bach, who has experience as a fencer, lawyer, and administrator, is known for navigating multiple worlds.
Some friends believe Bach is very strategic, always thinking ahead, which is crucial in his role that demands high-level diplomatic intelligence. Meanwhile, a few critics see him as a boring and out-of-touch ruler.
When he was chosen as the leader 11 years ago, he pointed out the many challenges facing the Olympic movement. Bach is not someone who exaggerates, but he may have been downplaying the situation.
The 70-year-old German does not have the same style or impact as Juan Antonio Samaranch, who modernized and made the Games more business-oriented for 20 years before the year 2000.
However, he has established a strong influence that both supporters and opponents acknowledge, making him arguably the most impactful president in the Olympics' history. It was clear that Bach would not step in to stop Van de Velde from competing in the event.
After completing their events, every Olympic athlete has to pass through a section called the 'mixed zone', where reporters are waiting to interview them. However, Van de Velde has been granted permission to not speak in this area.
He did not choose to stay with his teammates at the Olympic Village and was given a special security escort when he traveled to Paris from Amsterdam on the Eurostar.
The Dutch Volleyball Federation chose him, and the Netherlands Olympic Committee supported that choice, but both organizations received no praise for their decision. The largest newspaper in the country featured an article titled 'Let's not make a former sex offender an outcast of the Olympics'.
The IOC claims they have no authority to intervene in a member association's selection process, but they are quick to take legal action against anyone who shares Olympic videos on social media.
Nobody comes out on top in this story, except for Ranghieri and Carambula, who defeated Van de Velde and his companion 22-20, 19-21, 15-13. However, the person who was most negatively affected is the one who suffered the most.
We have heard many different views about Van de Velde, but only their opinion truly counts.
