THE Dutch yesterday defended child rapist Steven Van de Velde getting special treatment to avoid interviews.
It came after the 6ft 6ins beach volleyball player was booed as Holland lost their first game, to Italy.
All athletes have to do press interviews.
But Dutch aide John van Vliet said: “We are protecting a convicted child rapist to do his sport as best as possible.”
Team-mate Matthew Immers, 23, also defended his pal, 29.
He said: “He’s had his punishment. And now he’s really kind.”
He added: “No, he doesn’t explain it. We just want to focus on now and that’s the most important thing.
“We’re disappointed that it’s so big because we fight two years to qualify.
“But we’re going to enjoy the Olympics.”
Van de Velde served fewer than 19 weeks in prison for each of the three child rapes he confessed to in 2016.
A Paris 2024 official revealed: “He was taken away with three bodyguards.
“We aren’t happy with that but the decision was made at the top of the IOC.”
Ciara Bergman, CEO of Rape Crisis England & Wales, said: “It sends a damaging message that competing in sports matters more than raping a child.”
His next match is on Wednesday against Chile.
OLYMPIC bosses have apologised for offending Christians with a drag queen parody of Da Vinci’s Last Supper at the opening ceremony.
Tech boss Elon Musk said the show, which featured a near-naked singer painted blue, was “extremely offensive”.
A Paris 2024 spokesman said: “There was never an intention to show disrespect to any religious group.”
