Cyling New Zealand is criticised again over the way it selects high performance riders, and its approach to athlete rights and wellbeing.
World champion mountain biker Sammie Maxwell this month won an appeal against Cycling NZ's decision, not to nominate her for the Paris Olympics.
The independent disputes body, the Sports Tribunal, ruled Cycling NZ took an unfair and discriminatory approach in not selecting Maxwell, based on an out-of-date medical report, relating to her eating disorder, which she was not given a chance to respond to.
Cycling New Zealand has been the subject of two critical independent reviews - the last commissioned after the death of Olympic cyclist Olivia Podmore in 2021.
Sammie Maxwell's successful appeal over Cycling NZ's decision is not a first.
Nine to Noon has spoken with the mother of another young athlete who represented New Zealand last year, after a successful challenge against his non-selection by Cycling NZ.
Kathryn speaks to Sammie Maxwell's lawyer Ian Hunt.
Sammie Maxwell from Taupo on her way to 1st place in the woman’s elite (and U23) at the New Zealand Mountain Biking Cross Country Championship held at the Crocodile Mountain Bike Park in Christchurch. Credit; Peter Meecham/ www.photosport.nz Photo: Peter Meecham/www.photosport.nz
