Biker Wins Olympic Spot

Biker Wins Olympic Spot

New Zealand mountain biker Sammie Maxwell has won an appeal against her exclusion from the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. A tribunal found that Cycling New Zealand (CNZ) selectors used incorrect medical evidence regarding her eating disorder to exclude her.

Maxwell, 22, earned a quota spot in New Zealand's Olympic mountain biking team. However, the CNZ nominations panel initially denied her a place, citing her failure to demonstrate that she had no mental or physical impairment from an eating disorder she has battled since age 15.

Upon appeal, the New Zealand Sports Tribunal found that the exclusion was based on an out-of-date doctor's report. The tribunal also noted that Ryan Hollows, CNZ's high-performance director, submitted a "skewed" memorandum to the nominations panel, which unfairly influenced the decision.

The tribunal stated that suggesting an athlete must have a mental or physical impairment because of an eating disorder sets an "uncomfortable precedent" and "would do more harm than good."

"I recognize that everyone involved in the process has a shared goal - to put my health and wellbeing first," said Maxwell in a statement after winning her appeal. "I didn't always agree with how everyone thought that should look, but I am grateful to have so many people around me caring for me and looking out for my health."

Maxwell's case highlights the complexities of managing athletes' health while ensuring fair competition. Her inclusion in the Olympic team sets a significant example for other athletes facing similar challenges.