IOC back decision to allow convicted Dutch volleyball player to compete

IOC spokesman, Mark Adams, believes there's a great deal of room for rehabilitation in Steven van de Velde.

Transcript

00:00Can we take this to mean that you're comfortable and happy with the idea of a convicted rapist taking part in Eurolympics? Thank you.

00:06No, I think to characterize it as comfortable and happy would not be correct.

00:12But as we said, as you said, we've answered, I've answered that question once already, the president also himself personally answered it.

00:19And we've made it clear that we have been in long conversation with the NOC, with the Dutch NOC,

00:26and you will have seen their statement. I think this crime occurred some time ago, ten years ago.

00:33There's a great deal of rehabilitation that's taken place, and there's very strong safeguarding in place also.

00:40And I believe, I'm not totally sure, but I believe he's not the athlete in question, he's not even staying in the village.

00:48So we feel that the Dutch National Olympic Committee have explained their decision.

00:54Comfortable, happy, you can characterize it how you want, but we feel that the statement that they've given us is correct.

01:06And we will continue with the situation as it is.