Dutch beach volleyball player Steven van de Velde, who was convicted in 2016 of raping a 12-year-old girl in the UK, has been denied entry to Australia ahead of the Beach Volleyball World Championships set to begin in Adelaide on November 14.
Australia’s Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke confirmed the government’s decision on Tuesday, citing public safety as the top priority.
“The government will continue to use every tool we have available to ensure that Australians can be safe and feel safe in their communities,” Burke said in a statement, as per BBC News.
Van de Velde, now 31, acknowledged in a statement that he had expected his criminal record could prevent him from obtaining a visa. “This outcome is not only accepted by me, but also by the rest of the team,” he said in Dutch.
His exclusion also rules out his teammate Alexander Brouwer, as they compete together as a pair, according to The New York Times.
Olympic Controversy and Career Comeback
Van de Velde competed at the 2024 Paris Olympics, despite strong public backlash from lawmakers, victims’ advocates, and fans who called for his ban. The International Olympic Committee said it had no authority to block the Netherlands from sending a qualified athlete.
He and his partner Matthew Immers won only one of four matches in Paris, but went on to claim a bronze medal at the 2024 European Beach Volleyball Championships two weeks later.
Australia’s Strict Visa Policy
Australia is known for enforcing a rigorous “character test” when assessing visa applications, which allows authorities to deny entry to individuals with serious criminal records.
Volleyball Australia chief executive Andrew Dee said the organization was informed of the government’s decision only on Tuesday. “As the local organizing committee, our focus remains on delivering a spectacular world championships,” Dee said. “This will be the biggest beach volleyball event in the world this year and the first time we’ll have nine Australian teams competing, that’s what we should focus on and celebrate.”
Van de Velde was 19 in 2014 when he contacted a 12-year-old girl online and traveled to the UK, where he raped her. He was convicted on three counts of rape and sentenced to four years in prison, serving 13 months before being released. He returned to competitive volleyball in 2018, The Guardian reports.
Recent Precedents
Australia’s government has recently used the same visa powers to block other high-profile figures.
Earlier this month, the High Court upheld a ban on U.S. commentator Candace Owens, whose entry was denied last year over concerns she could “incite discord.”
In May, Minister Burke also revoked a visa granted to rapper Ye (formerly Kanye West) following the release of his single 'Heil Hitler'.