New Zealand 2016 Olympic cyclist Olivia Podmore dies at 24

A New Zealand track cyclist Olivia Podmore, who participated in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, died at the age of 24. New Zealand’s Olympic Committee (NZOC) said that she died “suddenly” on Monday. However, they did not disclose the details of the death.

Olivia also represented New Zealand at the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games. 

“We offer our deepest condolences to family, friends and others in the NZ community who are grieving this loss. We are providing wellbeing support for members of her team and the wider team as we return home from Tokyo,” NZOC said in a statement.

“She was a valued team member and her loss will be felt across the New Zealand Sporting Community,” NZOC further added in a statement.

Cycling New Zealand, the sport’s governing body described her as a “much loved and respected rider.”

“Many people are understandably devastated and trying so hard to comprehend what has happened. We have been and will continue to provide support to our staff and riders, the cycling community and those that were close to Olivia,” Cycling New Zealand said in a statement.

“Be kind to each other and take care of each other,” the statement said.

The Olympic committee said it has begun offering support to athletes and staff on the country’s Olympic team.

Olivia was born in Christchurch, New Zealand. She won silver in the team sprint and bronze in the time trial at the 2015 Junior World Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan, to book her berth for the 2016 Olympics.

She did not represent New Zealand at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

A New Zealand Police spokesperson told CNN: “Police attended a sudden death at a Cambridge property yesterday evening.”

Podmore’s brother, Mitchell, posted a message for Olivia on his official Facebook page: “Rest in peace to my gorgeous sister and loved daughter of Phil Podmore. You will be in our hearts forever.”