Paula Radcliffe responds to huge backlash after wishing convicted child rapist 'good luck' for Olympic Games

Former British Olympian Paula Radcliffe has apologised after she wished a convicted child rapist 'good luck' ahead of the 2024 Olympic Games.

Radcliffe appeared on LBC radio on Wednesday when she was asked by host Andrew Marr about Dutch athlete Steven van de Velde.

The 29-year-old is part of the Netherlands beach volleyball squad for Paris 2024 despite being convicted of raping a 12-year-old girl when he was 19.

Van de Velde travelled from Amsterdam to the UK in 2014 after meeting his victim on Facebook. He raped the child at an address in Milton Keynes.

In 2016 he was sentenced to to four years in prison after pleading guilty, although he was released after serving just 12 months of the sentence in a prison in the Netherlands.

Van de Velde was allowed to resume his volleyball career and in June he was selected for the Dutch team for this summer's Games.

During her interview with LBC, former long-distance runner Radcliffe said: "I know that he [Van de Velde] is married now and has settled down.

"I think it’s a tough thing to do to punish him twice and if he’s managed to successfully turn his life around after being sent to prison, and to qualify and to be playing sport at the highest level, then I actually wish him the best of luck."

'If he's managed to turn his life around...then I actually wish him the best of luck.'

Olympian Paula Radcliffe says that a Dutch athlete who raped a 12-year-old girl should be allowed to compete in the Olympics, telling @AndrewMarr9, 'it's a tough thing to punish him twice'. pic.twitter.com/jgsvj1eZig

— LBC (@LBC) July 24, 2024

Following backlash on social media, Radcliffe released a series of statements in which she apologised and clarified her position.

"I am mortified that I expressed it so badly and didn’t condemn the rape out loud," Radcliffe said.

"I do believe in second chances after serving punishment but think the Olympics should be for those who uphold the ideals - that’s why I poorly brought the doping comparison in.

"I myself am shocked and disappointed at how I expressed this so badly. I am very sorry and should have done much better.

"I by no means meant to overlook the crime and meant to say those who don’t uphold ideals should be excluded but can’t be.

"I profoundly apologise and am deeply shocked and disappointed in myself and can’t understand how I managed to convey it so badly.

"I wrongly jumped to explaining why legally, as I understand it, he can’t be excluded without first condemning the rape out loud - I think I assumed this went without saying.

"I genuinely have no idea why I would ever wish luck when I didn’t mean it and sincerely apologise for hurt."

After selecting Van de Velde to compete in Paris, the Dutch Olympic Committee (NOC) told BBC Sport: "After his release, Van de Velde sought and received professional counselling. He demonstrated to those around him - privately and professionally - self-insight and reflection."