Radcliffe sorry
Paula Radcliffe has described herself as “mortified” and issued an apology for wishing luck to a convicted rapist who is competing at the Olympics.
Dutch beach volleyball player Steven van de Velde served time in prison for the rape of a 12-year-old British girl in 2014, when he was 19.
Van de Velde, now 29, had flown to England to meet her with full knowledge of her age, having communicated through social media.
He was sentenced to four years in prison in 2016 after pleading guilty but was released after serving only 12 months at a Dutch prison.
Having resumed his volleyball career, he has controversially been selected for the Games as part of the Netherlands squad.
In an interview with LBC, former marathon world champion Radcliffe said that it was a “tough thing to punish him twice” and that she “wished him the best of luck”, drawing parallels with drugs cheats who are given second chances in sport.
She said: “I know that he 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.”
However, writing on X on Thursday, BBC pundit Radcliffe said she regretted her remarks.
“I am mortified that I expressed it so badly and didn’t condemn the rape out loud,” she 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).”
In other posts, Radcliffe, who is still the British marathon record holder, said: “I myself am shocked and disappointed at how I expressed this so badly.
“I really apologise for the way I phrased this. The utter condemnation of the crime in my head went without saying but I should have clarified that. Instead I poorly jumped to explaining why It would be great to exclude all who betray ideals but legally not possible.”
News Summary:
- Paris Olympics 2024 LIVE: Opening ceremony tonight, Argentina’s rugby side loudly booed by France fans, Andy Murray’s singles career over
- Check all news and articles from the latest Football updates.