- Olivia Podmore committed suicide in August 2021
- The investigation revealed that the Kiwi star was reportedly suffering from intimidation
A coronial investigation into the death of the former Olympic cyclist of New Zealand Olivia Podmore heard testimonies from her parents and revealed shocking cases of alleged intimidation after she inadvertently exposed a case between a coach and another athlete at the head of the Rio Games.
Podmore, 24, committed suicide in Waikato the day after the Tokyo Games ended in August 2021.
The cycling track had failed to qualify for the games and had published a scary message on Instagram on the pressures of the competition at the international level of hours before his death.
She also left a heartbreaking message to family and friends.
The investigation learned that Podmore would have been subjected to abuses of a coach who reprimanded his sex life, who would also have whispered in the ear before the races “ne f *** Ing Crash”.
In addition, the investigation learned that other teammates would have sent intimidation texts ordering Podmore to “keep your closed trap” and described it as “mental case”.
A coronial investigation into the death of the former New Zealand Olympic cyclist Olivia Podmore (photo) revealed that she endured shocking cases of alleged intimidation
Podmore, 24 (photo with his mother Nienke) committed suicide in Waikato the day after the Tokyo Olympic Games in August 2021
His death was confirmed a few hours after Podmore described the pressures of competition at the highest level in a final frightening Instagram publication
His parents both melted in tears when they told the hearing on the loss of their beloved daughter.
“It’s been three years and eight months now since the worst day of my life,” said his mother Nienke Middleton.
“That day, I didn’t know why Livi committed suicide.
“The first that I heard that Livi had healthy health difficulties was (Boss Sport NZ) Raelene Castle and Jacques Landry (former CEO of cycling in New Zealand) during a television interview the next day.
“People ask us what it is, is the pain confronted and have we managed to move on?”
“The answer is still no to these questions, we live with it. I miss Livi as much as the day I lost it.
Podmore’s father, Phil, also revealed his devastation, saying: “We will always be proud of Liv and amazed at the courage she has shown, last as long as she did it all.
“We love her very much and know that she will live through all the people she has influenced positively in her short but wonderful life.”
Olivia Podmore is photographed in competition in the women’s sprint event during the track cycling World Cup in Brisbane in 2019
According to the New Zealand Herald, lawyers acting in the name of NZ cycling and high performance sport New Zealand (HPSNZ) sought to highlight the personal problems of Podmore far from cycling, especially the abortion she had when she was a teenager and the separation of her parents.
The two organizations reported these important contributors to the mental deterioration of Podmore.
In a submission of fence, HPSNZ apologized for “the painful experiences that Olivia endured” and recognized that the behavior to which Podmore was subject to “unacceptable”.
The CEO of Cycling NZ, Simon Peterson, also offered his apologies compared to what Podmore endured during the period 2016-18 surrounding the controversy of the Bordeaux training camp.
While the investigation reached his last day, Podmore’s mother Nienke Middleton said that “culture begins up” and in his opinion, “many is still to be made to make the real changes (which are) necessary”.
Podmore participated in the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio after winning silver and bronze medals at the Astana junior world championships in 2015.
She won the title of national Keirin champion in 2017 and also participated in the 2018 Commonwealth Gold Coast Games in Sprint, Team Sprint and Keirin events.
If you or someone you know need mental health support, you can call Lifeline at 13 11 14 or beyond blue at 1300 22,4636, for free confidential support.
