Editorial
Olympic cyclist Olivia Podmore, 24, has died.
The New Zealand velodrome ace was apparently found on August 10, after posting about the ‘struggle’ of elite competitions.
In the now-deleted post, she is believed to have penned: “Sport is an amazing outlet for so many people, it’s a struggle, it’s a fight but it’s so joyous.
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“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 as owning a house, marriage, kids all because [you’re] trying to give everything to your sport is also unlike any other.”
The Olympian’s family has now paid tribute to her on social media.
Her brother, Michael Podmore, wrote: “Rest in peace to my gorgeous sister and loved daughter of Phil Podmore.
“You will be in our hearts forever.”
Cycling New Zealand also stated that its riders and staff have been left ‘deeply saddened with the loss of one of our young cyclists’.
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They continued: “Olivia was a much loved and respected rider in our Cycling New Zealand squad.
“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 extends 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.
“We are providing wellbeing support for members of her team and the wider team as we return home from Tokyo.
“Olivia represented New Zealand with honour and pride at both the Rio 2016 Olympic Games and the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games.
“She was a valued team member and her loss will be felt across the New Zealand Sporting Community.”
Podmore, from Canterbury, represented New Zealand at the Rio Olympics in 2016 in the women’s sprint event. Last year, she rode in the world championships.
However, she was not in the squad for the Tokyo Games that ended on August 9.
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