The cycling community of New Zealand has been shocked by the sudden death of 24-year-old Olivia Podmore.
The Olympic cyclist died on Monday, which was confirmed by members of her family in social media posts.
Olivia’s brother Mitchell posted on Facebook, “Rest in peace to my gorgeous sister and loved daughter of Phil Podmore. You will be in our hearts forever.”
Image credit: Instagram @liv_podmore
Olivia represented New Zealand at the 2016 Rio Olympics in the women’s team sprint event and rode at the UCI Track Cycling World Championships the same year.
She also won silver in the team sprint and bronze in the time trial at the Junior World Champs in Astana in 2015.
The news of her sudden death comes after the athlete shared a message on Instagram, that has since been deleted, about the pressures of competing at the highest level.
“Sport is an amazing outlet for so many people, it’s a struggle, it’s a fight but it’s so joyous,” she wrote.
“The feeling when you win is unlike any other, but the feeling when you lose, when you don’t get selected even when you qualify, when your injured, when you don’t meet society’s expectations such a owning a house, marriage, kids all because [you’re] trying to give everything to your sport is also unlike any other.”
Image credit: Instagram @liv_podmore
The New Zealand Olympic Committee has expressed its shock and sadness by the loss of Olivia, Olympian #1333.
“We offer our deepest condolences to family, friends and others in the NZ community who are grieving this loss,” they said in a statement.
“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.”
Australian cycling legend Anna Meares was one of many to pay tribute to the young athlete online in an emotional message.
She wrote, ” My heart breaks for the loss of a young life. Sorry you were in pain. Please reach out if you feel alone, are hurting, feel lost or helpless.”
Image credits: Getty Images/Instagram @liv_podmore
This article originally appeared on Over60.