Paula Radcliffe has said she is “ashamed” of her interview wishing luck to the convicted child rapist Steven van de Velde at the Olympics in a new apology.
Radcliffe was heavily criticised after giving an interview in which she said “we allow people who cheat in sport and take drugs to come back and compete, he was 19 at the time and he has served his jailed time” about Van de Velde, who will represent the Netherlands in beach volleyball at this summer’s Games in Paris.
Radcliffe apologised soon after her comments on Wednesday evening, but posted a second full apology to convey her regret over the controversy.
“Last night I gave an interview and made some comments that I deeply regret,” Radcliffe wrote on social media platform X.
“I want to sincerely apologise and emphasise how much I categorically condemn the crime of rape. I am ashamed that my words so inaccurately…
