Leader Book Endorses Petition to Ban Convicted Child Sexual Abusers from Olympics

Florida State Senate Minority Leader Lauren Book (D-FL) and her advocacy group – Lauren’s Kids – are asking individuals to sign a petition calling for the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to ban convicted child rapists from competing in the games.

This call to action from Leader Book comes as Dutch beach volleyball player Steven van de Velde has been allowed to compete in the games despite being sentenced to four years in prison in 2016 for raping a 12-year-old girl. He served just one year, according to The Mirror.

This issue is personal to Leader Book. She was a victim of child sexual abuse and has fought valiantly during her time in public service to bring an end to the horrible crime.

That’s why on social media, Lauren’s Kids is promoting the petition to ban child sex offenders from participating in the Olympics.

“The International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) decision to allow convicted child rapist Steven van de Velde to compete in the 2024 Olympic Games is a betrayal of the trust placed in the IOC by athletes, spectators, and the global community.”

Lauren Book herself added, “SIGN OUR PETITION demanding the IOC immediately adopt strict policies to prevent convicted pedophiles from participating in the Olympics.”

When asked about playing with Van de Velde, Dutch teammate Matthew Immers stated, “I don’t want to say much about it. What was in the past is in the past. I can’t change his past. I’m here to play with him. We want to have good results here. There are a lot of people who support us. We do it for them. He has a lot of pressure on his shoulders. I’m OK with that. Mentally we are strong, I am strong, we will get through this together."

Immers added that he was “disappointed with the fans” for booing his playing partner.

"It is what it is. I was disappointed with the fans. We talked on the field and asked ourselves: what do we need from each other? It was worse than in the first game. We need each other on the field, the hugs, the cheering,” said Immers.

The Olympics never fails to yield controversy.