There’s been a tearful closing day to the coroner’s inquest into the death of Olympic cyclist Olivia Podmore.
Her family have sat through more than three weeks of evidence, in Hamilton and now Christchurch, her father Philip Podmore struggling with emotion as he talked of what they’ve learned about Olivia’s time in the High Performance Sport New Zealand system.
“We hope Cycling New Zealand and High Performance can learn from this tragic event. From what we have heard during the inquest this could have been avoided.”
Podmore died in August 2021. In a closing statement to the Coroner, her mother Nienke Middleton said it’s taken since then to piece together what happened.
“And now we have — we’re shocked.”
She also explained that the first she heard of Olivia’s mental health struggles was watching a TV interview with High Performance chief executive Raelene Castle and Cycling NZ chief executive Jacques Landry the day after her death.
“We had no idea what had been going on… Nobody from Cycling NZ or High Performance thought it might be worth contacting me over the five-year period that Livvy was in Cambridge.”
The inquest heard evidence of Podmore’s role as an inadvertent whistleblower after she uncovered an inappropriate athlete-coach relationship in 2016, and the scrutiny also put on her non-selection for the Tokyo Olympics.
The hearing began in Hamilton late last year, with the final two days held in Christchurch.
Friends, doctors and those in the broader high performance environment were called on to give evidence during the hearing which lasted more than three weeks.
In her closing remarks, the lawyer for High Performance Sport NZ Stephanie Grieve KC said: “High Performance Sport New Zealand has always acknowledged that the conduct and behaviour that she was subjected to was unacceptable and that it had a very significant impact on her mental health.”
Cycling New Zealand’s lawyer Paul David told the coroner change was already underway and everyone was “committed to this process… this is tangible work and action, not paper policy.”
Coroner Louella Dunn was obviously emotional also as she addressed the family.
“You have advocated on behalf of your daughter with care, determination and with respect.”
The coroner resumed the inquest today with an apology to Olivia Podmore’s family for the four-month delay. (Source: 1News)
While her findings were reserved she said she was anxious it be done “as quickly and efficiently as possible”, aware that the ongoing delay was distressing.
Through tears, Podmore’s mother urged those involved to remember her daughter when all this was over.
“Remember her as the happy bubbly, but determined, girl with the long blonde hair who wanted to be a champion.”
