Podmore inquest: Family condemn sports leadership
The mother and stepfather of Olivia Podmore say Cycling New Zealand and High Performance Sport NZ chose medals over the welfare of their daughter.
This week saw the final few days of the coronial inquest into the death of the former Olympic cyclist.
Six months of harrowing evidence revealed the enormous pressure she was under after unwittingly exposing an affair between a coach and another athlete - leading to stigma and isolation within her team.
Olivia died in a suspected suicide in 2021, one day after the Tokyo Olympics - which she wasn't selected for - ended.
A subsequent investigation into Cycling New Zealand (Cycling NZ) revealed bullying and a lack of accountability.
Olivia's mother Nienke and her stepfather Chris Middleton told RNZ's Susie Ferguson on the Saturday Morning programme that the inquest revealed the institutions responsible for elite athlete care prioritised medals and image over well-being.
"You think, how could it possibly be allowed to happen in this modern time? You know what's going on, yet they turned a blind eye."
Though Cycling NZ and HPSNZ expressed remorse during the inquest, her parents questioned the sincerity.
The coroner's findings are expected in the coming months, but the inquest has already revealed an alarming number of red flags.
A 2018 independent review revealed a litany of failings - not just among Cycling NZ's leadership, but deep systemic issues in the wider high-performance system.
Despite this, the report was "amended" by the national body ahead of the report's publication to exclude key details documenting the treatment of Podmore.
For Olivia's family, this pattern of ignored complaints and censorship raises a key question. Why now? Parents doubt promised reforms
Despite Cycling NZ and HPSNZ's insistence that athlete well-being is now a top priority, Nienke and Chris said they have little faith in real change within the organisation.
The inquest revealed repeated missed opportunities to support Olivia. Emails were sent. Concerns were raised. But little was done.
"There were quite a few, people that tried to alert people at the top. But it just got stonewalled every time."
Both organisations issued public statements asserting that athlete wellbeing is now central to their strategy.
HPSNZ said it has "significantly reshaped its systems" since 2021, while Cycling NZ told the inquest Olivia's experience "should never have happened."
But the Middletons are calling for deeper accountability, including independent oversight and changes in leadership.
"How do you suddenly change your culture and become a whole different beast?
"The advice wasn't taken then. So why would it be different? 'The whistleblower was blamed' - isolation and rumours
Among the most heartbreaking revelations of the inquest was how Podmore was treated after exposing a coach-athlete affair.
Team dynamics shifted sharply, with Podmore becoming isolated from peers and unsupported by staff. She was subjected to social exclusion and persistent rumours.
"One of the things that people don't realise... after this coach-athlete affair was that for quite a few years - because they had named suppression like people actually thought Olivia was the one having the affair," Nienke said.
"So it was not only did she have the shame of being the whistleblower... she had the shame of that as well. A double whammy, if you like."
She believed the emotional strain was compounded by this distortion of events. 'She did everything right'
Nienke said her daughter did everything right, and despite battling stigma and rejection she kept training and racing.
"I'm just surprised that throughout this process with everything that was going on that she didn't actually lose her composure at all on the track or in the cycling environment.
"Whereas if it was myself, I probably would have, there would have been some big outburst or... but she never ever lost her load."
Although proud of her daughter, Nienke said, in the end, Olivia was exhausted by the system she trusted.
"She's never had a proper platform to showcase how talented she was at cycling.
"She's never actually gone into an Olympic cycle with a proper chance and a clean slate to show what she can do." Where to get help
Need to Talk? Free call or text 1737 any time to speak to a trained counsellor, for any reason
Lifeline: 0800 543 354 or text HELP to 4357
Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828 865 / 0508 TAUTOKO. This is a service for people who may be thinking about suicide, or those who are concerned about family or friends
Depression Helpline: 0800 111 757 or text 4202
Samaritans: 0800 726 666
Youthline: 0800 376 633 or text 234 or email talk@youthline.co.nz
What's Up: 0800 WHATSUP / 0800 9428 787. This is free counselling for 5 to 19-year-olds
Asian Family Services: 0800 862 342 or text 832. Languages spoken: Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean, Vietnamese, Thai, Japanese, Hindi, Gujarati, Marathi, and English.
Rural Support Trust Helpline: 0800 787 254
Healthline: 0800 611 116
Rainbow Youth: (09) 376 4155
OUTLine: 0800 688 5463
Aoake te Rā bereaved by suicide service: or call 0800 000 053
If it is an emergency and you feel like you or someone else is at risk, call 111.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
NZ Herald
2 days ago
- NZ Herald
Small Business On the Up: Former Olympian Willy Benson's PortaSkip journey in Hawke's Bay
I approached a business mentor who turned into my business partner, just pitching ideas and growing my knowledge. I was running a swimming club at the time and wanted something on the side that was a long way away from swimming. And then I did a few feasibility studies, went back and forth and was pretty happy to come up with PortaSkip. I saw something similar in Australia. The guys at Bunnings hire out skips, but they were bins on trailers that had to be forked over the back of the truck. Wanting to run a small business, we didn't want to have to invest in that sort of capital, so we came up with our skip bins that have a hydraulic ram underneath. It just requires a ute, and it can run pretty simply, meaning we could fill a gap in the market that wasn't really there in terms of something a little bit more nimble and mobile. PortaSkips are perfect for homeowners and landlords who are clearing out a property that requires getting into a tight space. How was the transition from a life as an Olympian to running a business? I was lucky that while I was training for the Olympics, I was also at Massey studying a business degree and ended up majoring in business management. So I'm probably one of the few people who actually got out of university and managed to use their degree. I didn't really know what I wanted to do when I stopped swimming, but I was lucky that I had the tools to go and find things that interested me and challenged me. I think especially when you're starting a new business, it's a little bit like my swimming, I had a goal to represent New Zealand, and that was four years away, but you've just got to keep chipping away for something. It can seem like a bloody long way away in the future, but if you trust the effort and you're genuine and you keep chipping away, there's a chance that you'll get to where you want to get to. I think there's a pretty strong crossover between starting a new business and your sporting goals and dreams in that regard. What was it like working during Cyclone Gabrielle? It's still unbelievable every day when you drive down the expressway thinking about that thing under water. That was tricky, certainly. My family home that I grew up in was under water, so we're digging silt out of mum's place and pulling out a bunch of our possessions that we grew up with. Meanwhile, we were running around like maniacs trying to turn around as many skips as we could for everyone trying to get stuff out of their homes and businesses that were under water as well. It was wild, wild stuff and hopefully stuff that I'll never have to see again. I think honestly coming out the other side of the cyclone and just sitting back and looking at what we were able to do for people, the amount of stuff we moved and being able to see people at the lowest point in their lives and know that you played a little part in just making that super tough time a little bit more manageable for them, I think that's been a big highlight though. PortaSkip co-founder Willy Benson remembers trying to supply bins for everyone in need following Cyclone Gabrielle in Hawkes Bay. Where do you want the business to be in the next few years? I think the biggest piece is just expanding it to other areas, like Palmerston North and Wellington, and to keep it growing. With any business, it's a challenge to get established, and then once you have an established business, it's like tough to keep that momentum and keep it going and not fall off or just plateau. I think the goal over the next two to five years is to have the business throughout New Zealand. What would be your advice to other budding entrepreneurs wanting to start a business? Just do your homework initially and make sure that everything lines up, and then just work hard and trust yourself. There are times when growth is pretty slow going, but if it's genuine and you trust yourself and you've got a good plan behind you, you're most likely going to come out the other side where you want to be. Having a mentor and having someone to bounce ideas off of and help vet things is massive too, whether that's experience from previous jobs that you can translate into a new business or just along the way having another person to help you troubleshoot when you've hit a wall, I think that's massive as well. Tom Raynel is a multimedia business journalist for the Herald, covering small business, retail and tourism.
Otago Daily Times
2 days ago
- Otago Daily Times
Finn Ward's turn — with brother Patrick in the mix
PHOTO: ODT FILES Otago hockey star Finn Ward has been named in the Black Sticks and his brother Patrick has been named as a back-up. Patrick has played for the Black Sticks previously, but Finn will be on debut. He is joined in the Black Sticks squad by Otago team-mates Malachi Buschl and Benji Culhane. Patrick has been named as a travelling reserve. The team will contest the 2025 Nations Cup in Kuala Lumpur from June 15-21. The Black Sticks, who won the tournament last year, return with a fresh opportunity to build on that momentum and push for top honours again. Coach Greg Nicol has named a squad that blends international experience with exciting young talent, including three debutants: Louis Beckert, Gus Nelson and Finn Ward. Their inclusion reflects the depth and development coming through the New Zealand hockey pathway. ''This is a great opportunity to expose new talent to international tournament hockey,'' Nicol said. ''Our focus is to keep building on last year's performance, playing a bold style of hockey and continuing to grow as a group.'' Dylan Thomas and Patrick Ward will also travel with the team as reserves. The last time the Black Sticks played a test match was during the Paris Olympics last August. This tournament is a valuable opportunity to represent New Zealand on a world stage and to build connections in preparation for Oceania Cup later this year. Black Sticks 2025 Nations Cup Louis Beckert, Dom Dixon, Scott Cosslett, Benji Culhane, Charlie Morrison, Brad Read, Simon Yorston, Malachi Buschl, Sean Findlay, Gus Nelson, Hayden Phillips, Nic Woods, Finn Ward, George Baker, Scott Boyde, Jonty Elmes, Sam Hiha, Sam Lane, Dylan Thomas (TR), Patrick Ward (TR). Schedule June 15, v Japan June 17, v Malaysia June 18, v Pakistan June 20, semifinals June 21, final
1News
2 days ago
- 1News
What Trump's travel ban means for the 2026 World Cup and 2028 Olympics
US President Donald Trump often says the 2026 World Cup and 2028 Los Angeles Olympics are among the events he is most excited about in his second term. Yet there is significant uncertainty regarding visa policies for foreign visitors planning trips to the US for the two biggest events in sports. Trump's latest travel ban on citizens from 12 countries added new questions about the impact on the World Cup and the Summer Olympics, which depend on hosts opening their doors to the world. Here's a look at the potential effects of the travel ban on those events. What is the travel ban policy? ADVERTISEMENT When Sunday ticks over to Monday (local time), citizens of 12 countries should be banned from entering the US. They are Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen. Tighter restrictions will apply to visitors from seven more: Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and Venezuela. Trump said some countries had 'deficient' screening and vetting processes or have historically refused to take back their own citizens. How does it affect the World Cup and Olympics? Iran, a soccer power in Asia, is the only targeted country to qualify so far for the World Cup being co-hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico in one year's time. Cuba, Haiti and Sudan are in contention. Sierra Leone might stay involved through multiple playoff games. Burundi, Equatorial Guinea and Libya have very outside shots. ADVERTISEMENT But all should be able to send teams to the World Cup if they qualify because the new policy makes exceptions for 'any athlete or member of an athletic team, including coaches, persons performing a necessary support role, and immediate relatives, traveling for the World Cup, Olympics, or other major sporting event as determined by the secretary of state'. About 200 countries could send athletes to the Summer Games, including those targeted by the latest travel restrictions. The exceptions should apply to them as well if the ban is still in place in its current form. What about fans? The travel ban doesn't mention any exceptions for fans from the targeted countries wishing to travel to the US for the World Cup or Olympics. Even before the travel ban, fans of the Iran soccer team living in that country already had issues about getting a visa for a World Cup visit. Still, national team supporters often profile differently to fans of club teams who go abroad for games in international competitions like the UEFA Champions League. For many countries, fans traveling to the World Cup — an expensive travel plan with hiked flight and hotel prices — are often from the diaspora, wealthier, and could have different passport options. ADVERTISEMENT A World Cup visitor is broadly higher-spending and lower-risk for host nation security planning. Visitors to an Olympics are often even higher-end clients, though tourism for a Summer Games is significantly less than at a World Cup, with fewer still from most of the 19 countries now targeted. How is the US working with FIFA, Olympic officials? FIFA President Gianni Infantino has publicly built close ties since 2018 to Trump — too close according to some. He has cited the need to ensure FIFA's smooth operations at a tournament that will earn a big majority of the soccer body's expected $13 billion revenue from 2023-26. Infantino sat next to Trump at the White House task force meeting on May 6 which prominently included Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem. FIFA's top delegate on the task force is Infantino ally Carlos Cordeiro, a former Goldman Sachs partner whose two-year run as US Soccer Federation president ended in controversy in 2020. Any visa and security issues FIFA faces — including at the 32-team Club World Cup that kicks off next week in Miami — can help LA Olympics organisers finesse their plans. 'It was very clear in the directive that the Olympics require special consideration and I actually want to thank the federal government for recognising that," LA28 chairman and president Casey Wasserman said Thursday in Los Angeles. ADVERTISEMENT 'It's very clear that the federal government understands that that's an environment that they will be accommodating and provide for,' he said. 'We have great confidence that that will only continue. It has been the case to date and it will certainly be the case going forward through the games.' In March, at an IOC meeting in Greece, Wasserman said he had two discreet meetings with Trump and noted the State Department has a "fully staffed desk' to help prepare for short-notice visa processing in the summer of 2028 — albeit with a focus on teams rather than fans. IOC member Nicole Hoevertsz, who is chair of the Coordination Commission for LA28, expressed 'every confidence' that the US government will cooperate, as it did in hosting previous Olympics. 'That is something that we will be definitely looking at and making sure that it is guaranteed as well,' she said. 'We are very confident that this is going to be accomplished. I'm sure this is going to be executed well." FIFA didn't immediately respond to a request for comment about the new Trump travel ban. What have other host nations done? The 2018 World Cup host Russia let fans enter the country with a game ticket doubling as their visa. So did Qatar four years later. Both governments, however, also performed background checks on all visitors coming to the month-long soccer tournaments. Governments have refused entry to unwelcome visitors. For the 2012 London Olympics, Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko — who is still its authoritarian leader today — was denied a visa despite also leading its national Olympic body. The IOC also suspended him from the Tokyo Olympics held in 2021.
