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Van de Velde was booed and jeered while competing at the Games. Dutch Olympic officials went to lengths to protect him from the press during the event.

He has now opened up to Dutch publication NOS about his experience, admitting that while he anticipated backlash, the intensity of it took him by surprise. "I definitely had a moment of breaking down, both before the tournament and during it. But I thought 'I'm not going to give others the power to bully me away or get me away'.

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[-] Murvel@lemm.ee 40 points 4 weeks ago* (last edited 4 weeks ago)

Alright.. now I'm willing to bet that most people on here, if asked, believe strongly in criminal rehabilitation. But the comments here make me think 'maybe not'.

Would someone please explain that?

[-] SilentStorms@lemmy.dbzer0.com 46 points 4 weeks ago* (last edited 4 weeks ago)

Sure. He hasn't taken any real responsibility nor faced adquete consequences for raping a child. He blames others for "bullying" rather than making any attempt to understand the outrage.

If his crime had been committed decades ago, and he faced appropriate sentencing, and made steps at reconciliation with the community this would be a more nuanced conversation.

[-] Murvel@lemm.ee -4 points 4 weeks ago

What does it matter? He was sentenced and served time. Wasn't it enough, or what's your argument here?

[-] SilentStorms@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 points 4 weeks ago

I don't think rehabilitation is just serving time and being done with it.

[-] Murvel@lemm.ee -2 points 4 weeks ago

That's what it's supposed to be...

[-] Mobilityfuture@lemmy.world -3 points 4 weeks ago

If you’re going to be an apologist for a predator at least understand the situation. It looks like you are arguing just to be contrarian- not a good look in this case, highly insensitive given the type of crime we are discussing.

He did not serve his full eight year sentence. He was transferred back to Holland from England to serve the remainder of his eight year sentence - and was released the same year

So to answer you: No he absolutely did not serve his sentence

[-] Murvel@lemm.ee 6 points 4 weeks ago

First, don't call me an apologists, you don't know the first fucking thing about me or my beleifs.

Second, it was a four year sentence, not eight years.

Third, yes, he did serve his sentence and was released.

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this post was submitted on 13 Aug 2024
253 points (93.2% liked)

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