Heartbreak for New Zealand Olympian dead aged 24
The cycling world is in shock at the death of a 24-year-old New Zealand athlete, after she posted a worrying message on Instagram.
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Olympic cyclist Olivia Podmore has died aged 24.
The New Zealand cycling community has been shocked by her sudden death on Monday, confirmed by her family in social media posts.
Mitchell Podmore, brother of Olivia, posted on Facebook: “Rest in peace to my gorgeous sister and loved daughter of Phil Podmore. You will be in our hearts forever.”
Podmore, from Canterbury, represented New Zealand at the 2016 Rio Olympics in the women’s team sprint event and rode at the UCI Track Cycling World Championships that year.
Podmore won silver in the team sprint and bronze in the time trial at the Junior World Champs in Astana in 2015.
She was also the 2017 national keirin champion.
In an Instagram post earlier on Monday — since removed — Podmore outlined the pressures of competing at the highest 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 your 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.”
Aussie cycling legend Anna Meares was among many members of the international cycling community to pay their respects.
My heart breaks 💔 for the lose of a young life. Sorry you were in pain. #RIP@livpodmore#NZcycling#Olympian Please reach out if you feel alone, are hurting, feel lost or helpless.
— Anna Meares (@AnnaMeares) August 9, 2021
In a statement on Monday evening, Cycling New Zealand said its riders and staff “are deeply saddened with the loss of one of our young cyclists”.
“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 extend our deepest sympathies to Olivia’s family at this time and we ask that media respect the privacy of Olivia’s family, friends and our riders.”
The New Zealand Olympic Committee said it was deeply saddened by the loss of Olympian #1333 and cyclist Olivia Podmore.
“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.”
A police spokeswoman said police attended a sudden death at a Cambridge property early on Monday evening.
“Police are making enquiries in relation to the death on behalf of the coroner.”
The Cycling New Zealand website describes Podmore as one of a group of cyclists blazing the trail for women sprinters – “an athletic and determined rider who has background interests across a range of sports”.
It says she started out in BMX at the age of 8 before her mother bought her a road bike at the age of 12. She won her first national age title in 2011.
Competing on the world’s stage has become an unnerving discussion point around the world in recent years with the pressure faced by athletes moving from the shadows into the public eye.
United States gymnastic legend Simone Biles shocked the world with her withdrawal from events at the Tokyo Olympics, citing a need to: “Focus on my mental health and not jeopardise my health and wellbeing”.
She returned to win a bronze medal in the beam final.
Tennis superstar Naomi Osaka pulled out of the French Open over a boycott of press conferences before having to defend herself against accusations she was trivialising mental health by using it as an excuse for being unable to deal with the pressure of professional sport.
Australian sport is no different.
Collingwood star Dayne Beams took an indefinite break from football in 2019 to deal with mental health issues before retiring in the middle of a long-term contract.
Western Bulldogs former No. 1 draft pick Tom Boyd also retired after a career of just four seasons as a result of pressure, social media abuse and mental health issues.
Aussie cricketer Will Pucovski withdrew himself from test selection in 2019 and took a break from the game as a result of mental health struggles.
Originally published as Heartbreak for New Zealand Olympian dead aged 24
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