New Zealand Olympic cyclist Olivia Podmore dies at 24: “She left us a message”

Olivia Podmore, a New Zealand track cyclist who competed in the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, has died. She was 24 years old. Cycling New Zealand said Podmore died “suddenly” on Monday, but did not disclose a cause or other details.

Podmore also represented New Zealand at the 2018 Commonwealth Games on Australia’s Gold Coast.

In a statement released Tuesday, Cycling New Zealand described Podmore as a “much loved and respected rider”.

The organization noted that many are “understandably devastated” and, without elaborating, urged people to seek mental health help if needed.

“Be kind to each other and take care of each other,” the statement read.

The New Zealand Olympic Committee said it had started offering support to the athletes and staff of the country’s Olympic team.

In a statement, two-time Olympic rowing gold medalist Eric Murray said he and Podmore snowboarded together on Sunday and was likely the last person to see her alive.

Murray said Podmore was a close friend and when he last saw her she was happy and smiling. He said he had no reason to worry about his well-being.

Concerns about Podmore first surfaced after she posted a now unavailable post on social media regarding the pressures of elite competition and social expectations. Police were called to her home in Cambridge, near Hamilton on New Zealand’s North Island, where she was found dead.

“With Olivia’s last words, she left us a message, a message that we wish never had to be read by anyone else again,” said Murray. “We see the implications of mental health in sport locally and around the world.”

Murray said some of the most prominent athletes at the Olympics recently spoke about mental health issues and “we now have one statistic and it’s one statistic too many.”

“We have lost a sister, a friend and a fighter who lost that will to fight within her,” Murray said.

Podmore’s brother Mitchell posted on Facebook: “Rest in peace to my beautiful sister and beloved daughter of Phil Podmore. You will be in our hearts forever.” He also said that a commemorative bike ride would have held on Saturday in honor of his sister. .

Sport New Zealand chief executive Raelene Castle said some cyclists recently returned from the Tokyo Olympics found it “very difficult” in managed isolation, which is part of the country’s strict border regulations imposed during the COVID pandemic -19.

Discussions with the government are underway to determine whether some could be released from quarantine to attend Podmore’s funeral.

Castle said Podmore asked for support before his death.

Cycling New Zealand manager Jacques Landry was asked if his organization had done enough to support Podmore. He said the sport would “question that for a long time.”

“She had a lot of people supporting her throughout her career,” Landry said. “We’re now just looking back… and want to step back and review this.”

If you or someone you know could be at risk for suicide, there is help. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255, text a crisis counselor at 741741, or visit suicidepreventionlifeline.org.