There is anger over a convicted child rapist’s bid to compete at a major volleyball event in Australia.

Steven van de Velde pleaded guilty to assaulting a 12-year-old British girl he had been communicating with on social media when he was 19.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Outrage as child rapist bids to compete at Adelaide sporting event.

The Dutch athlete was jailed for four years over the 2014 attack but only served 13 months and relaunched his career in 2017.

He was famously booed during his appearances at the Paris Olympics in 2024, and was booked in accomodation away from the village .

Van de Velde, now 31, wants to compete for the Netherlands at the Beach Volleyball World Championships in Adelaide , starting in mid-November.

It is understood his visa application is still pending,

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