Investigators found that the doctor who treated Olivia Podmore did not keep any notes

This story explores the themes of mental health and suicide. The list of hotlines is available at the bottom of the page.

A doctor who worked with Olivia Podmore has admitted it was “inappropriate” not to take notes of sessions during her time on the Cycling NZ program.

On Wednesday, an investigation into the suspected suicide of a young Olympic cyclist found that the practitioner had been unable to produce any records of his sessions with Podmore.

The doctor, whose name has been temporarily withheld while the case is pending, worked with Podmore for more than four years, meeting regularly during that period.

He told Hamilton Coroner’s Court that the nature of his role meant that some of his interactions with athletes were informal and often “impromptu”.

“In my role, I provide support to many athletes practicing different sports, in different cities and towns. Meetings are often improvised, e.g. on the track or in training facilities, but I also meet with athletes at pre-arranged times,” the practitioner said in his testimony before the court.

“The practicalities of my role make it very difficult to keep written records of all my interactions with athletes.”

In response to the lack of record-keeping in court on Wednesday, the doctor apologized for his approach.

“I completely accept that it is inappropriate. I should have been better,” he said.

When asked by the coroner’s attorney, Joshua Shaw, whether taking notes was extremely important for continuity of care and ensuring details were not missed, the doctor admitted it was.

The practitioner, whose specific role could not be determined, said he had since changed his practices.

To assist with the investigation into Podmore’s death, the practitioner was able to reconstruct the schedule of his sessions with the elite cyclist based on invoices, calendar invitations and emails.

“No gray areas”

In his evidence given earlier this week, the doctor strongly denied claims he shared confidential medical information as part of an “old boys club” of Cycling NZ coaches and support staff during the inquest into the death of an elite cyclist.

“The way I worked with Olivia and the way I work with all athletes made it clear from the beginning that the information we shared … was private and confidential,” he told the court.

“There are no gray areas, it’s black and white.”

In the first week of the inquest, led by coroner Louella Dunn, the court heard evidence from two witnesses that Podmore’s disclosures about her mental health “went further than they should have.”

In particular, the doctor’s conduct was questioned by Nicholl Bailey, the coach’s ex-wife, who was at the center of the events that led to the 2018 Cycling NZ inquiry.

Bailey told the inquest she was concerned about the approach of the doctor, who she noted had a close relationship with her ex-husband and was part of a “boys’ club” made up of coaching and support staff.

She described Podmore’s openness with the doctor as a “double-edged sword.”

“In a way, it made me realize what difficulties she was struggling with. However, I am also aware that this information regularly went further than it should have, resulting in Olivia being ostracized, denigrated and intimidated by coaches and teammates,” Bailey said.

On Tuesday afternoon, the doctor told the court he accepted there was a senior network at Cycling NZ between 2016 and 2018, but denied he was part of it.

“My first experience with cycling was that there was a very closed system within the coaching team. It was not inclusive or diverse in any way,” he said.

“For some it was an old boys’ club, for me it was a closed, controlling system that maintained its own balance in favor of certain people. Was I part of it? No, not at all.

“I make it clear that I am not anyone’s friend, so my protocol is that I do not socialize with coaches or athletes. I think this is crucial when it comes to supporting multiple athletes – otherwise you risk compromising immediate relationships.”

The practitioner said he was “shocked” to read evidence showing he allegedly passed on private information about Podmore to the coaching staff. He said the claims appear to come from a small group of people outside the “professional sphere” in which he operates.

“Being seen as someone who shares information outside of this space was a complete surprise and shock to me. At no point did this information come from any (other) motorcyclist.”

The practitioner told the court his approach was to encourage athletes themselves to share their own information with coaches.

“We have addressed this issue so that people know that Olivia and I have talked about the importance of sharing information with coaches, and if a coach were to ask me how Olivia was doing, I would say, ‘please ask Olivia.’ “

“This allows her agency to share information… it is entirely up to her who she shares the information with.”

The expert testimony continues.

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