Olivia Podmore's sudden death has again sparked questions over athlete wellbeing, the pressures on those in Olympic sports and the future of athlete's mental health assistance.
Sprinter Joseph Millar, who missed out on a ticket to Tokyo mainly through an injury-riddled season, is one of those questioning our current high performance environment.
Millar told 1 NEWS this year’s Olympics were different for many and it wasn’t just because of Covid-19.
“Previous years we'd watch it, message each other and say, ‘hey. did you see that and this’,” Millar said.
“This time it was more about checking in on mates who arguably should've been there, we're concerned for them.”
After his own issues with depression, Millar said he wants to make sure sports bosses are listening, and putting athletes first.
“I'd say purely from what’s happened the last 48 hours with Olivia, it shows that [there isn’t enough being done],” he said,
“There's not a lot of happiness around it at the moment and something needs to change in high performance.”
Sports are funded primarily on success at the top, creating more pressure.
That funding model is set to change with grants also likely to come with wellbeing incentives and criteria.
Sociology professor at the University of Waikato Holly Thorpe said changes are needed immediately.
“This needs to be a top priority,” Thorpe told 1 NEWS.
“We need a cultural shift in funding, priorities, education around athlete wellbeing - it shouldn't be an either-or situation.
“I think the answer coming back to us, in our hearts, is that it hasn't been fast enough if we're losing athletes.”
It comes as more stories of affected athletes emerge accusing the system of treating athletes like a commodity.
Sports Minister Grant Robertson said it was a complex issue.
“We've had a number of investigations on sports and these issues,” he said.
“I will certainly be taking time to work through with High Performances Sport NZ but I think in this period of time we've got to focus on supporting Olivia's family and her friends.”
Millar said focus also has to go to those still in these environments.
“Absolutely there's a culture of fear,” he said.
“I don’t want things to be easier, I just don't want things to be harder than they need to be.”
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