Australia Olympics chief criticises Dutch team for selecting convicted rapist Steven van de Velde

Sign up to our free sport newsletter for all the latest news on everything from cycling to boxing Sign up to our free sport email for all the latest news Sign up to our free sport email for all the latest news SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Australian Olympics chief Anna Meares has said that a convicted rapist would not be picked for the country’s Olympics team, after Steven van de Velde was named in the Netherlands’ beach volleyball squad. “We have stringent policies on safeguarding within our team.” Following his initial selection, the Dutch Olympic Committee told BBC Sport: “After his release, Van de Velde sought and received professional counselling. They continued to say that van de Velde’s return met the guidelines set out by the nation’s Volleyball Federation, with the International Olympic Committee reportedly saying that the selection of athletes is the responsibility of individual committees. The first section of the Olympic Charter, detailing the ‘Fundamental Principles of Olympism’, states: “Olympism seeks to create a way of life based on the joy of effort, the educational value of good example, social responsibility and respect for internationally recognised human rights and universal fundamental ethical principles within the remit of the Olympic Movement”.