Cyclists’ emotions flow at review findings
Cyclists’ emotions ran high yesterday when Cycling New Zealand and High Performance Sport New Zealand (HPSNZ) apologised to Olivia Podmore’s family, and to them for the trauma experienced within the cycling environment.
Some athletes gathered in Cambridge to watch the live stream of the findings and recommendations of the review established following the death of their friend in August 2021.
The review – led by Mike Heron QC and leading academic Sarah Leberman – found a ‘‘chilling’’ power imbalance between athletes and sports organisations, and called for a complete rethink of the core foundations of the HPSNZ system. The moment CNZ board chair Phil Holden apologised for the trauma experienced in the programme, the athletes were completely silent and still. It was a lot for them to absorb.
‘‘... on behalf of Cycling New Zealand I want to reiterate what I said last week to the Podmore family: I am sorry for that experience. We should have done better, we didn’t, and I am sorry for your hurt and your grief,’’ Holden said. ‘‘To the others that are still affected: I also apologise. I am sorry. As we look to repair and rebuild from here, we would be really open to some form of process to address this trauma.’’
Athletes at yesterday’s gathering have chosen to stay anonymous. They still have distrust in the system and fear speaking up.
One said Phil Holden’s apology was ‘‘heartfelt and genuine’’ and it meant a lot. ‘‘It’s the first time we’ve gotten a public apology, let alone an apology at all,’’ they said.
‘‘I’ma bit emotional to be fair. It’s going to be an interesting [time] taking it all in and seeing what comes of it, but I’mfeeling hopeful.’’ The reviewers said an acknowledgement of the trauma experienced was important to help restore mana to those involved.
‘‘[CNZ] broke mymana. My mana was gone. Liv [Podmore] brought it back,’’ an athlete said.
The review’s release brought up a lot of tough emotions, and in some cases it’s been ‘‘triggering’’.
‘‘Thanks for apologising. It doesn’t change the fact I’mstill traumatised, and Olivia is still dead, and howmany other athletes have been severely impacted by their actions and programme,’’ an athlete said. ‘‘There are so many athletes that have mental illness because of an unsafe environment.’’
When reviewer Sarah Leberman raised the subject of women and their health, athletes’ arms were raised in celebration.
The review found there was a lack of appropriate support and inadequate provisions for women’s health and said this directly impacts performance and potential. The reviewers reported HPSNZ’s position is that female health care is unrelated to performance needs and should be dealt with by athletes’ private GPs.*