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Post by Admin on Aug 22, 2021 2:49:20 GMT
Olympic Cyclist Olivia Podmore Dead At 24 Olympic cyclist Olivia Podmore has tragically died at the age of 24. The shocking news about the New Zealand athlete passing away was made public by her family members on Monday, following Olivia sharing a now-deleted post about the pressures of winning. Her cause of death has not been made public at the time. Cycling New Zealand and High Performance Sport New Zealand launch independent inquiry after death raises serious questions over athlete well-being  Cycling New Zealand and High Performance Sport New Zealand have announced that they will commission an independent inquiry after the sudden death of track cyclist Olivia Podmore raised serious questions about athlete wellbeing. This is not the first time the microscope has been turned on the high performance cycling programme in New Zealand, with the Heron Review established in response to allegations that surfaced in the media in 2018. When completed it reported instances of bullying, an inappropriate personal relationship, as well as a dysfunctional culture during the review period. The joint statement said the new inquiry would also look into the adequacy of the changes made following that review. “Olivia’s death has focussed our attention once more on the complex issues surrounding athlete welfare and wellbeing, issues that the system has grappled with across a number of years,” said Raelene Castle, Chief Executive of High Performance Sport NZ. “Our priority is to ensure we understand what has happened and what more can be done. “Understanding something so complex will take time. We also must respect and engage in the coronial enquiry that is underway.” The Christchurch-born Podmore won silver in the team sprint and bronze in the time trial at the 2015 Junior World Championships, represented New Zealand at the 2016 Olympic Games, the 2018 Commonwealth Games and a number of other major events. The 24 year old had qualified for the Olympic Games in Tokyo, but was not selected to compete. Since Podmore’s death, there has been considerable discussion in the New Zealand media about the way the high performance programme is conducted, with former athletes among those raising concerns. “We have been listening carefully to the voices of athletes who have spoken out or made contact with us directly,” said Phil Holden, Cycling New Zealand Chairperson. “The Board of Cycling New Zealand are very clear they want to make sure that those perspectives are built into this inquiry right from the start.” The statement said further details of the inquiry would be confirmed next week, with the scope and framework to be defined in conjunction with an independent inquirer. |
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Post by Admin on Aug 22, 2021 20:03:20 GMT
She was not selected to race in Tokyo, but became the New Zealand keirin champion in 2017 and rode in the women's team sprint event in Rio. Podmore died just hours after an Instagram post in which she explained the struggles of competing at an elite level. "Sport is an amazing outlet for so many people, it’s a struggle, it’s a fight but it’s so joyous," she wrote. "The feeling when you win is unlike any other, but the feeling when you lose, when you don’t get selected even when you qualify, when [you're] injured, when you don’t meet society’s expectations such a owning a house, marriage, kids all because [you’re] trying to give everything to your sport is also unlike any other."  Cycling New Zealand released a statement in response to Podmore's death, offering their deepest sympathies to the friends and family of the Christchurch-born rider. "Olivia was a much loved and respected rider in our Cycling New Zealand squad," the statement read. "At this time we are providing support to our staff and riders, the cycling community and those that were close to Olivia. "Cycling New Zealand extend our deepest sympathies to Olivia’s family at this time and we ask that the media respect the privacy of Olivia’s family, friends and our riders. "We offer our deepest condolences to family, friends and others in the NZ community who are grieving this loss. |
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Post by Admin on Aug 23, 2021 19:40:01 GMT
Plans for an “athlete led” service to celebrate the life of Olivia Podmore in Cambridge on Friday have been put on hold due to Covid-19 alert level four restrictions. The event, which was expected to be attended by hundreds from the local high performance sporting community, including Podmore’s peers from in the Cycling NZ’s elite squads, has been postponed until next month. Kiwi athletes who competed in the Tokyo Olympics were unable to attend Podmore’s funeral, held in her hometown of Christchurch earlier this month, as they were in MIQ.  Olivia Podmore was a member of Cycling NZ’s elite sprint cycling team but was not selected for the Tokyo Olympics. Podmore, 24, who represented New Zealand at the Rio Olympics, died suddenly on August 9 - one day after the closing ceremony for the Tokyo Games. The New Zealand cycling team and management learned of Podmore’s death as they were about to board a flight home from Tokyo. Champion rower Eric Murray, a close friend of Podmore in what is a tight-knit high performance community in Cambridge, is hopeful the event will be able to go ahead next month. He said a new provisional date of September 24 has been set, contingent on Covid-19 alert level restrictions easing. “We have tentatively booked for later next month. Like everything it is a wait and see thing, but we are determined to make it happen and ensure everyone gets a chance to properly honour Liv,” said Murray. Gatherings of more than 100 people can only take place under alert level one. Olympic champion Eric Murray reflects on the loss of close friend Olivia Podmore. In a statement announcing plans for the additional service earlier this month, Murray, a spokesperson for the Podmore family, said the event was to allow “all those currently in MIQ to join to mourn and celebrate the passing of such a special person”. “Everybody who came into contact with Liv over her short life was left in no doubt that Liv was a wonderful human who we were are all so lucky to have had in our lives. “This will be an athlete-led celebration, but open for all to attend, as her Cambridge sporting community were such an important part of her life and are so deeply affected by this.” |
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