Investigation launched after second convicted paedophile is spotted at Olympics
Mia Williams
Featured Image Credit: Ryan Pyle/Corbis via Getty Images/Andre Weening/BSR Agency/Getty Images
The Olympics committee has spoken out after a second convicted paedophile was spotted at the Paris Games.
Uproar broke out when it was revealed that convicted paedophile Steven van de Velde would be competing at this year's Olympics.
But another sex offender has been spotted at the Games, an Australian coach who pleaded guilty to five counts of sexual abuse against a 13-year-old in 1999.
Brett Sutton was seen during a TV interview wearing Olympic accreditation, and a red jacket with the Chinese flag and Olympic rings on it.
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This year, he coached the women’s triathlon silver medallist Julie Derron of Switzerland.
He has now left the Paris 2024 games, and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) said on Sunday it was looking into the matter.
In 1999, Sutton pleaded guilty to five counts of sexual abuse of a 13-year-old and was sentenced to two years in prison. The sentence was suspended for three years.
IOC spokesperson Mark Adams told a press conference on Sunday: "I understand that this person is no longer here at the Games, they have left the Games.
"It is an issue for the Chinese Olympic Committee and the national federation will need to get involved.
"Looking forward I can tell you we will obviously look into this issue."
But the regulations appear confusing, as Netherlands beach volleyball player, van de Velde, has still been allowed to compete.
The athlete, 29, was sentenced to four years in prison back in March 2016 after admitting to three counts of rape against a 12-year-old child.
Despite being found guilty, he only spent 13 months in jail, and his team are claiming he is 'fully rehabilitated'.
His coach even went as far as to say that van de Velde 'deserves' support from spectators, despite walking out during his event to a wave of boos.
The IOC had already defended their decision to allow him to compete, stating that 'safety measures' have been put in place.
One of which means that van de Velde is living outside of the Olympic Village, and has a blanket ban on all media interviews.
Pieter van den Hoogenband - team boss for the Netherlands - told Dutch outlet NOS: "All athletes are dear to me and I try to support them."
If you have been affected by any of the issues in this article and wish to speak to someone in confidence, contact the Rape Crisis England and Wales helpline on 0808 500 222, available 24/7. If you are currently in danger or need urgent medical attention, you should call 999.