Kiwi Olympic cyclist Olivia Podmore has died aged 24

By MiNDFOOD

The New Zealand cycling community is mourning the sudden death of the 24-year-old cyclist. 

Olivia Podmore, the New Zealand cyclist who competed in the 2016 Rio Olympics, passed away on Monday, her family confirmed on social media.

A spokesperson for the police said they attended a sudden death at a property in Cambridge on Monday evening and are “making enquiries in relation to the death on behalf of the coroner.”

Podmore, who was just 24 years old, had a successful career in the sport, representing New Zealand in the women’s team sprint event at the 2016 Olympics, as well as being the 2017 national keirin champion.

“Rest in peace to my gorgeous sister and loved daughter of Phil Podmore. You will be in our hearts forever,” her brother Mitchell Podmore shared on Facebook.

On the day of her death, Podmore shared an Instagram post (since removed), where she highlighted the pressures of being an athlete.

“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 as owning a house, marriage, kids all because [you’re] trying to give everything to your sport is also unlike any other.”

Cycling New Zealand said its team and riders “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.

Podmore started out her cycling career in BMX at just eight years old. She started on the road bike at 12 and won her first national title in 2011.

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