“Sport Is a Struggle”: Cycling Star Olivia Podmore’s Final Post Before Tragedy

Olivia Podmore was a talented New Zealand cyclist who competed on the world stage, representing her country at the 2016 Summer Olympics and the 2018 Commonwealth Games. In 2017, she claimed the national keirin title, marking herself as one of New Zealand’s top track cyclists.

But behind the medals and competitions, Podmore faced immense personal struggles. On the evening of August 9, 2021, she was found dead at her home in Cambridge. She was just 24.

Her death, which was referred to the coroner as a suspected suicide, sent shockwaves through the sporting community. Only hours before, Podmore had posted on Instagram about the intense pressure and demands placed on elite athletes.

“Sport is an amazing outlet for so many people,” she wrote. “It’s a struggle, it’s a fight, but it’s so joyous.”

She described the rush that comes with success: “The feeling when you win is unlike any other.”

But she also opened up about the pain on the other side — the moments the public rarely sees. “The feeling when you lose, when you don’t get selected even when you qualify, when you’re injured,” she shared, “when you don’t meet society’s expectations such as owning a house, marriage, kids — all because you’re trying to give everything to your sport — is also unlike any other.”

The post has since been deleted, but its message sparked deep conversations across New Zealand about athlete wellbeing and the hidden pressures of competitive sport.

Olivia is survived by her parents, Philip and Nienke Podmore, and her older brother, Mitchell. Her funeral was held in Christchurch on August 13, 2021.