Steven Van der Velde was booed on court. GETTY IMAGES

Fans booed a Dutch beach volleyball player, convicted of raping an underaged girl, as he played his first match at the Paris Olympics, thrusting the sport into the spotlight due to his controversial selection.

Steven Van der Velde, now 29, was convicted in 2016 of raping an underage girl and received a four-year prison sentence. He entered the centre court on Sunday morning with his teammate Matthew Immers to cheers and applause, with many orange-clad Dutch fans standing to clap for the pair.

However, when Van der Velde was introduced individually over the loudspeaker, the crowd responded with a loud chorus of boos. Despite the backlash, the player has the support of his country's national Olympic committee and exchanged a warm hug with teammate Immers before the game began.

Van der Velde's selection has sparked outrage among women's and sports safety groups. Officials have decided that he will be separated from his teammates, will not stay in the athletes' village, and will be forbidden from speaking to the media. After serving part of his sentence in Britain, Van der Velde was transferred to the Netherlands, where he was eventually released and resumed playing volleyball in 2017. His selection to the national team for the Paris Games has put the popular sport under scrutiny.

Fans booed Steven Van der Velde as he played his first match in Paris. GETTY IMAGES
Fans booed Steven Van der Velde as he played his first match in Paris. GETTY IMAGES

When pressed on the issue during the IOC’s Sunday press briefing, spokesman Mark Adams once more deflected the responsibility towards the Dutch national Olympic committee. 

“They made the decision to choose the player and they have given a very long statement about extra safeguarding measures that are taking place and I believe he is not staying in the Olympic Village. 

"Not to excuse it in any way, but I believe this took place over years ago and, as a general rule, we need to allow for the possibility of rehabilitation. This is a decision for the Dutch NOC to make and they have taken the measures to carry on,” Adams stated.

Ju'Riese Colon, CEO of the US-based Center for SafeSport, expressed being "deeply concerned that anyone convicted of sexually assaulting a minor could participate" in the Olympics. "With teams from around the world convening in Paris, many of which include minor athletes, this sends a dangerous message that medals and money mean more than their safety," she stated.

Van der Velde and Immers faced the Italian pair Alex Ranghieri and Adrian Ignacio Carambula Raurich in the first group stages of the competition.