Who is Steven Van de Velde? Career, Age, and More
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Updated Aug 03, 2024
Who is Steven Van de Velde?
Steven van de Velde is a Dutch beach volleyball player born on August 8, 1994, in The Hague, Netherlands. He is known for his tall height of 6 feet 6 inches (1.99 m) and his career in beach volleyball. Steven gained attention for both his sports achievements and his criminal past.
He won the Under-20 Dutch National Championships in 2011 and competed in the 2015 European Games. In 2018, he finished third in an international beach volleyball tournament. However, in 2014, at the age of 19, he was involved in a serious crime. He was convicted of raping a 12-year-old girl in England after giving her alcohol.
He was sentenced to four years in prison but was released after serving 13 months. Despite his criminal record, he was controversially selected to represent the Netherlands in the 2024 Summer Olympics. His participation in the Olympics caused a lot of debate and criticism.
| Full Name | Steven van de Velde |
| Date of Birth | August 8, 1994 |
| Age | 29 |
| Place of Birth | The Hague, Netherlands |
| Height | 6 feet 6 inches (1.99 m) |
| Nationality | Dutch |
| Occupation | Beach Volleyball Player |
Early Life
Steven van de Velde was born on August 8, 1994, in The Hague, Netherlands. He grew up in a city known for its rich history and cultural heritage. From a young age, Steven showed an interest in sports, particularly volleyball. His tall stature made him stand out, and he soon focused on beach volleyball.
During his teenage years, he began to gain recognition for his skills in the sport. In 2011, he won the Under-20 Dutch National Championships, which was an important milestone in his early career. Despite his early success in sports, his life took a dark turn in 2014 when he was involved in a serious crime, which overshadowed his achievements in beach volleyball.
Career
Steven van de Velde started his professional beach volleyball career at a young age. He achieved a significant milestone in 2011 by winning the Under-20 Dutch National Championships. In 2015, he represented the Netherlands at the European Games with his partner Michiel van Dorsten.
His notable achievements include finishing third in the 2018 Blooming Beach Aalsmeer tournament on the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour with Dirk Boehlé. Despite his sports achievements, Steven’s career was heavily impacted by his criminal conviction. In 2024, he qualified to compete in the Summer Olympics in Paris, which sparked controversy and public debate due to his past.
The Dutch Olympic Committee took special measures to isolate him from the other athletes to manage the situation. Despite these challenges, he continued to compete, showing resilience in his career.
Family
Steven van de Velde is married to Kim van de Velde (née Behrens), a German volleyball player who also studied psychology and trained as a police officer. They have one child together.
Age
Steven van de Velde was born on August 8, 1994. He is currently 29 years old. He was born in The Hague, Netherlands. He has played beach volleyball for many years and is known for both his sports achievements and his criminal conviction.
