Photo: Dianne Manson / Composite RNZ
The mother of Olivia Podmore has told a coronial inquest she has been shocked by the information that has been revealed over the last six months of the protracted proceedings.
The inquest into the sudden death of the young athlete in August 2021 came to an emotional conclusion on Wednesday when Podmore's family addressed the court.
In her closing statement, Podmore's mum Nienke Middleton said it had been difficult to hear about her daughter's experiences in the Cycling NZ programme.
Podmore's mum Nienke Middleton speaks. Photo: NZ Herald/George Heard
Earlier in the inquest, the court heard evidence the young athlete experienced "relentless bullying" after inadvertently exposing an affair between a coach and another athlete at a training camp in Bordeaux in 2016.
The incident was the central controversy examined in Mike Heron's 2018 inquiry into the sport, which made a raft of damning findings.
A further independent inquiry was carried out after Podmore's death, which Coroner Louella Dunn has indicated will be ruled a suicide.
But Middleton told the court it was only through the inquest process that she has learned the true extent of what the Olympic sprint cyclist experienced during her time under the care of Cycling NZ.
"It's taken nearly four years to piece together the full story of what happened to my daughter. And now that we have, we are shocked. Shocked because Livi had asked so many people, particularly those in senior management, for help over the years," Middleton said.
"People who knew what was happening tried to help, they were not listened to and they, in turn, didn't last long at Cycling NZ and High Performance Sport NZ."
Elite sprint cyclist Olivia Podmore pictured with her mother, Nienke Middleton, at Christchurch Airport in August 2021. The Rio Olympian died in a suspected suicide at her Cambridge flat later that day. Photo: Supplied
While Middleton knew her daughter had struggled at times at Cycling NZ, she said she had no inkling that Podmore had been in such psychological distress.
"That day I had no idea why Livi took her own life. The first I heard that Livi had been having health struggles was from Raelene Castle and Jacques Landry in a television interview the next day.
"We had no idea what had been going on. Nobody from Cycling NZ or High Performance Sport NZ thought it might be worth contacting me over the five years Livi was in Cambridge."
Podmore's father, Philip, also took the opportunity to make a personal statement to the court.
Philip Podmore in court on Wednesday. Photo: NZ Herald/George Heard
In his first public comments since the death of his daughter, Philip Podmore said it was his hope that no other family of a young athlete has to experience such a senseless tragedy.
"After sitting through this inquest, we have learned a lot more about the struggles Olivia faced while being under the care of Cycling NZ. We hope Cycling NZ and High Performance [Sport NZ] can learn from this tragic event," a visibly emotional Philip Podmore said.
"From what we have heard during the inquest, this could have been avoided."
"We will always be proud of Liv and amazed at the courage she showed lasting as long as she did throughout all of this. We love her dearly and know she will live on in all the people that she positively influenced throughout her short life. We miss you so much, Liv Rose."
Counsel for Cycling NZ, Paul David KC, acknowledged what Podmore experienced in the programme "should never have happened".
David assured the court the sport has undergone a major cultural shift in the wake of Podmore's shock death.
"The evidence before the inquest shows that cycling has responded to Olivia's death by doing all in its power to see that the training and competitive environment for the teams of athletes, coaches and support staff is positive and enjoyable."
Elite cyclist Olivia Podmore died in August 2021 in a suspected suicide. Photo: Supplied
In a statement released at the conclusion of the hearing, High Performance Sport NZ chief executive Raelene Castle, acknowledged the emotional toll the process has taken on Podmore's friends and family.
"We thank them for the integrity and grace with which they have conducted themselves throughout this inquest," Castle said.
"Athlete wellbeing is one of three key focuses of the HPSNZ strategy and there has been significant work done by HPSNZ and the National Sporting Organisations (NSOs) over the last five years including more dedicated health providers, a focus on athlete wellbeing and voice mechanisms, supported with increased levels of investment.
"The Inquest, and its ultimate findings, along with this ongoing work, are important factors to ensure athletes can thrive and succeed in the high performance environment, now and into the future."
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.
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