New Zealand mountain biker Sammie Maxwell has successfully overturned her exclusion from the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris following an appeal that highlighted errors in medical assessment by selectors.
Initially denied a place by Cycling New Zealand’s nominations panel, despite earning a quota spot, Maxwell, 22, challenged the decision citing incorrect medical evidence regarding her long-standing battle with an eating disorder, which began at age 15.
The panel had claimed Maxwell hadn’t proven she was free from mental or physical impairment due to her disorder. However, the New Zealand Sports Tribunal determined that Cycling New Zealand relied on outdated medical information in making its decision.
The tribunal criticized Ryan Hollows, CNZ’s high performance director, for submitting a “biased” memorandum to the panel, which unduly influenced their verdict. It emphasized that linking an eating disorder automatically to a mental or physical impairment set a troubling precedent and could potentially harm athletes rather than protect them.
In response to winning her appeal, Maxwell expressed gratitude for the support she received throughout the process, acknowledging the shared commitment of all involved to prioritize her health and well-being.
“I didn’t always agree with the approach taken, but I am thankful for the care and concern shown by those around me,” Maxwell stated in a post-appeal statement.
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