Fans expressed their disapproval by booing a Dutch beach volleyball player, Steven Van de Velde, who was convicted of raping an underage girl, during his initial match at the Paris Olympics. This controversial selection has brought significant attention to the sport. Van de Velde, 29, was convicted in 2016 and sentenced to four years in prison. He entered the center court on Sunday morning alongside teammate Matthew Immers, receiving cheers and applause from many Dutch fans in orange. However, when his name was announced individually, the crowd responded with a chorus of boos. Despite the player receiving support from the Dutch Olympic committee and exchanging a warm hug with Immers before the game, his selection has sparked outrage among women's and sports safety groups. Officials have decided to isolate him from his teammates, bar him from the athletes' village, and prevent him from speaking to the media. Ju'Riese Colon, CEO of the US-based Center for SafeSport, expressed deep concern over allowing someone convicted of sexually assaulting a minor to participate in the Olympics. She highlighted the dangerous message this sends, considering the presence of minor athletes from around the world in Paris. Van der Velde served part of his sentence in Britain before being transferred to the Netherlands, where he was eventually released and resumed volleyball in 2017. His selection for the national team at the Paris Games has put the sport under considerable pressure. Sara Alaoui, founder of The Safe Space Club, a Netherlands-based NGO, emphasized the difference between a second chance and representing one's country at the Olympics. She expressed deep disappointment with the Dutch volleyball association for supporting the player. Van der Velde and Immers are set to face the Italian pair Alex Ranghieri and Adrian Ignacio Carambula Raurich in the first group stages of the competition.