Olivia podmore
(CNN) -
Former New Zealand Olympian Olivia Podmore has died, the New Zealand Olympic Committee (NZOC) confirmed in a statement.
"We offer our condolences to family, friends and others in the New Zealand community who are grieving over this loss," said the NZOC.
"We will provide support for the well-being of your team members and the team in general when we return home from Tokyo."
Born in Christchurch, New Zealand, Podmore won silver in the team sprint and bronze in the time trial at the 2015 World Junior Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan to qualify for the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Podmore competes in the women's team sprint classification at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Represented New Zealand at Rio 2016 and the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games in track cycling events, including the team sprint, keirin and individual sprint.
It did not represent New Zealand at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
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In 2017, Podmore was a national keirin champion.
The statement also describes the methods through which athletes or other members of the New Zealand team can access support from the country's Olympic team psychology team, the health team, or through sports psychology and health providers / NSO, as well as advice in the country.
A New Zealand police spokesman told CNN: "Police witnessed a sudden death on Cambridge property last night.
Podmore, after competing in the elite women's team sprint classification during the New Zealand Oceania Track Championships.
"The police are investigating the death on behalf of the coroner. The coroner will release his findings in due course."
Podmore's brother Mitchell posted on social media: "Rest in peace my beautiful sister and beloved daughter of Phil Podmore. You will be in our hearts forever."
The New Zealand cycling team, Cycling New Zealand, said Podmore was a "much loved and respected cyclist in our Cycling New Zealand team."
"We at Cycling New Zealand are deeply saddened by the sudden loss of our young rider Olivia Podmore. Olivia was a much loved and respected rider in our Cycling New Zealand team and the cycling community at large," he said.
"It is understandable that many people are devastated and struggling to understand what has happened. We have been and will continue to support our staff and riders, the cycling community and those who were close to Olivia."
"Be kind to each other and take care of each other," the statement added.
New Zealand