Cycling NZ Under Scrutiny at Coroner’s Inquest Into Cyclist’s Death
A Second Speicial Inquiry into Culture
The inquest into the death of elite cyclist Olivia Podmore continues to unearth troubling revelations about the culture within Cycling NZ. The spotlight is on Cycling NZ’s bungled selection practices following a High Performance Sport tribunal’s decision to overturn its decision not to nominate young mountain biker Sammie Maxwell for the Paris Olympic Games.
Debate Surrounds Selection Process
Peterson acknowledged the shortcomings of the organization’s selection process, saying it needed to evolve to prioritize athlete wellbeing.
“Ms Maxwell is an example where we needed to act in the interests of the person first, and we took that position. With the information before me, we made the best wellbeing decision we could make.
Dealing with Bullying
At the request of court, Peterson extended his defense of the organization regarding the “appalling” treatment inflicted on Podmore and expressed his regret.
"The behaviors of some of the people in our organization, particularly in the 2016-2018 period during Olivia’s induction, were appalling and I would like to apologize on behalf of Cycling NZ," Peterson told the court.
Earlier in the inquest, the court heard the heartbreaking account of Podmore revealing an inappropriate relationship between a coach and athlete.
The “Bordeaux incident,” as it became known, and its subsequent fallout served as the prominent topic of a 2018 inquiry conducted by Mike Heron.
The Fiona Quinn Incident
Beyond the Bordeaux incident, Mr. Heron revealed further harmful conduct within the organization.
The court heard in the previous meth that Heron discovered further potential disciplinary issues. Mr. Heron’s subsequent publication of a letter detailing this information caused tensions.
The tribunal revealed that r. n, though, Co-Founder & CEO of MissFits – a new organization created by Podmore.
As a result, an in-depth investigation was conducted, revealing further issues requiring attention within Cycling NZ.
Impact of Podmore’s Passing
The death of Podmore shook the cycling community and led to the second inquiry within three years.
The Chief Executive Peterson, taking the helm in 2023, found himself testifying at reducing scandal involving allegations.
In an attempt to highlight the significant changes occurring within the organization, the individual acknowledged past harm and cited improvements such as introducing a dedicated people and culture manager, but emphasized that the journey is ongoing.
Focus on Athlete Wellbeing
“It’s been a game-changer in terms of bringing issues to the fore,” Peterson remarked regarding the latest appointment. This, however, is one of many strides made, as the organization recognized its paramount focus must be athlete wellbeing.
Conclusion
The inquest continues to shed light on the complexities of the situation, aiming to prevent this painful past from repeating itself, prioritizing athlete wellbeing above all.
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– What specific actions can Cycling NZ take to ensure its selection processes are fair and transparent, addressing concerns raised by cases like Sammie Maxwell’s?
## Cycling NZ Under Fire: An Interview
**Anchor:** Welcome back to the program. The inquest into the tragic death of elite cyclist Olivia Podmore continues to reveal damning details about the culture within Cycling New Zealand. Joining us now is sports journalist Sarah Jones, who has been closely following the proceedings. Sarah, what are the key takeaways from the inquest so far?
**Sarah Jones:** This inquest is truly a wake-up call for Cycling NZ. We’re seeing a pattern of deeply troubling behavior, from bungled selection processes to allegations of bullying and inappropriate relationships.
The recent case of Sammie Maxwell, a young mountain biker denied Olympic selection, highlights the concern surrounding Cycling NZ’s decision-making. While the organization claims to prioritize athlete wellbeing, it seems their actions don’t always match their rhetoric [[1](https://www.odt.co.nz/news/national/olivia-podmore-inquest-cycling-boss-saw-no-tangible-value-taking-action)].
**Anchor:** You mentioned bullying. Olivia Podmore herself spoke about a toxic environment within Cycling NZ before her death.
**Sarah Jones:** That’s right. One of the most disturbing aspects of this inquest is learning about the “appalling” treatment Podmore endured, particularly during her induction period. The organization has acknowledged these missteps and issued an apology, but for many, it feels like too little, too late [[1](https://www.odt.co.nz/news/national/olivia-podmore-inquest-cycling-boss-saw-no-tangible-value-taking-action)].
**Anchor:** And we’ve heard about the “Bordeaux incident”, an alleged inappropriate relationship between a coach and athlete.
**Sarah Jones:** Indeed. This incident, investigated back in 2018, has been a major focus of the inquest. It seems this event was just the tip of the iceberg, with further allegations of harmful conduct being revealed. The inquest is bringing these issues to light, forcing Cycling NZ to confront its past and address these systemic problems.
**Anchor:** This inquest is clearly deeply important, not just for Olivia Podmore’s memory, but for the future of cycling in New Zealand. What changes need to be made to ensure athlete safety and well-being?
**Sarah Jones:** This is exactly right. We need to see a complete overhaul of Cycling NZ’s culture. This includes a rigorous review of selection procedures, independent investigations into allegations of misconduct, and a clear commitment to prioritizing athlete well-being over medals and performance.
The inquest isn’t just about finding answers in Olivia Podmore’s tragic death, it’s about ensuring that no other athlete suffers the same fate.
**Anchor:** Powerful words, Sarah. Thank you for joining us and shedding light on this important story.