Cyclist Olivia Podmore, who represented New Zealand at the 2016 Rio Olympics, has died today aged 24.
Her family confirmed the news in a social media tribute after she had uploaded a concerning Instagram post this afternoon, which has since been taken down.
Podmore competed with Natasha Hansen in the team sprint event at the Rio Olympics but didn't make it to Tokyo.
In a statement tonight, Cycling New Zealand says its riders and staff "are deeply saddened with the loss of one of our young cyclists".
"Olivia was a much loved and respected rider in our Cycling New Zealand squad," the statement read.
"At this time we are providing support to our staff and riders, the cycling community and those that were close to Olivia. Cycling New Zealand extend our deepest sympathies to Olivia’s family at this time and we ask that media respect the privacy of Olivia’s family, friends and our riders."
The New Zealand Olympic Committee tonight issued a statement saying they were "deeply saddened by the loss of Olympian #1333".
"We offer our deepest condolences to family, friends and others in the NZ community who are grieving this loss," it read. We are providing wellbeing support for members of her team and the wider team as we return home from Tokyo.
"Olivia represented New Zealand with honour and pride at both the Rio 2016 Olympic Games and the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games. She was a valued team member and her loss will be felt across the New Zealand sporting community."
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