Paula Radcliffe apologises after wishing convicted rapist at Olympics ‘good luck’
Former Olympian Paula Radcliffe apologised for wishing a convicted rapist 'good luck' before he competes in this summer's games.
The BBC analyst made suggestions that Dutch beach volleyball player Steven van de Velde shouldn't be punished again, after he was convicted in 2016 for raping a 12-year-old girl.
Despite this, the athlete was selected to represent the Netherlands at the Olympics in Paris this summer, which has brought on a lot of backlash from the public and women's groups particularly.
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Radcliffe made an appearance on the Andrew Marr Tonight show, where she was asked about outright bans to certain competitors at the Olympics, which the former long-distance runner said was a 'very dangerous line to go down'.
Speaking specifically about van de Velde, she said: “I know that he is married now and has settled down.
"I think it’s a tough thing to do to punish him twice and if he’s managed to successfully turn his life around after being sent to prison and to qualify and to be playing sport at the highest level, then I actually wish him the best of luck.”
Van de Velde was sentenced to four years behind bars, though only spent 12 months at a Dutch prison before being released.
Radcliffe has since described herself as 'mortified' for wishing him luck, holding him in the same regard as drug cheats who are given another chance to compete after serving a ban.
The four-time Olympian posted an apology on Twitter, saying: “I am mortified that I expressed it so badly and didn’t condemn the rape out loud.
"I do believe in second chances after serving punishment but think the Olympics should be for those who uphold the ideals (that’s why I poorly brought the doping comparison in).”
The former Team GB member also spoke of her regret in other posts on social media, saying: "I myself am shocked and disappointed at how I expressed this so badly.
“I really apologise for the way I phrased this. The utter condemnation of the crime in my head went without saying but I should have clarified that. Instead I poorly jumped to explaining why It would be great to exclude all who betray ideals but legally not possible.”
The British Olympic Association would not have allowed for van der Velde's inclusion in the Olympic team if he was from the UK, as per its safeguarding rules, while the Australian Olympic team also confirmed the same position.
But this week, the head of the Netherlands' Olympic team, Pieter van den Hoogenband, weighed in on the matter.
He stated: “To be honest, I was a bit surprised by the fuss. He [Van de Velde] has been active in international sport, the beach volleyball world, for some time. He has played European Championships and World Cups, but then you see that things are different around the Games. That things are exaggerated.
"He’s not going to downplay it. We have to respect that and help him as a member of the team to be able to perform.
"I'm the boss, responsible for the whole team, for the athletes. He's just a member of the team, he qualified, and that's why he deserves our support."
If you have been affected by any of the issues in this article and wish to speak to someone in confidence, contact the Rape Crisis England and Wales helpline on 0808 500 222, available 24/7. If you are currently in danger or need urgent medical attention, you should call 999.
Joshua Nair