A New Zealand track cyclist, Olivia Podmore, was found dead in her room on Monday evening hours after making a concerning Instagram post. She died aged 24.
Olivia, from Canterbury, has won medals in notable competitions. She won a silver medal in the team sprint and bronze in the time trial at the Junior World Champs in Astana in 2015. She became the national keirin champion in New Zealand in 2017.
Olivia represented New Zealand at the 2016 Rio Olympics in the women’s sprint event and competed in the world championships last year, 2020.
Unfortunately, Olivia was not selected for the Tokyo Olympics games which might have necessitated her concerning Instagram post. The post reads:
Tributes For Olivia Podmore, “Respected Rider”
Tributes have started pouring in for Olivia Podmore. Olivia’s family in a tribute said she was “gorgeous” and “loved”. Cycling New Zealand describes her as a “much-loved and respected rider”
Cycling New Zealand:
Anna Meares, Aussie cycling legend:
Olivia’s brother, Mitchell Podmore: