In a highly contentious move, Steven Van de Velde, a Dutch beach volleyball player convicted of having sex with a 12-year-old girl in England in 2016, is set to make his Olympic debut at the Eiffel Tower Stadium in Paris on Sunday. The presence of Van de Velde in the sport has sparked widespread negative attention, casting a shadow over the typically festive atmosphere of the Summer Games.

Critics, including advocates for rape victims and some Olympics officials, have expressed outrage over Van de Velde's participation, arguing that he should have been left out of the event. Anna Meares, the head of Australia's delegation, highlighted the stringent policies in place to safeguard their team, stating that individuals with such convictions would not be allowed to be members.

Van de Velde, now 29, was sentenced to four years in prison, of which he served 13 months, after being found guilty of raping a girl he had allegedly met online. Despite his criminal record, the Dutch Olympic committee confirmed that he had met the requirements to compete after undergoing a supervised process, leading to his return to professional competition in 2017.

The International Volleyball Federation claimed it had no authority to prevent the Netherlands from sending Van de Velde to Paris, as he had qualified for the Games in the usual manner. Although Van de Velde is not staying at the athletes' village and has not made himself available to the media, he expressed regret for his actions, acknowledging the incident as the biggest mistake of his life.

The beach volleyball community, known for its close-knit nature, has been largely silent on the matter. While players have refrained from endorsing his actions, they have focused primarily on their performances during the Olympic tournament.

The Eiffel Tower Stadium, which is renowned for its lively and celebratory atmosphere during the Summer Games, is expected to experience a subdued ambiance when Van de Velde and his teammate Matthew Immers take to the sand on Sunday morning. However, the inclement weather on the first day of the event did not dampen the spirits of the Swedish and Cuban teams, who emerged victorious against their opponents from Australia and the United States, respectively.

As fans huddled under their ponchos and raincoats, the sound of a Parisian accordion resonated through the air. Despite the controversy surrounding Van de Velde's participation, the crowd remained engaged and supportive. Clear skies are forecasted for Sunday, setting the stage for an intense match between the debatable Dutch player and a seasoned Italian team.

The outcome of this match and the ongoing debate surrounding Van de Velde's presence may have long-lasting implications for the sport and its reputation in the Olympic Games.