Mountain biker Sammie Maxwell has been officially selected by the NZ Olympic Committee to compete at the upcoming Paris games.
It comes after a successful appeal to the Sports Tribunal by Maxwell and her lawyer Ian Hunt following a decision by Cycling NZ not to nominate her for the games due to non-performance related reasons.
CNZ chose not to nominate Maxwell as they were not satisfied she had demonstrated she "does not suffer from any mental or physical impairment that would prevent [her] from competing at the 2024 Games to the highest possible standard" which was part of the eligibility criteria.
The tribunal found CNZ relied on inaccurate and out-of-date medical information when it made that decision.
NZOC said Maxwell was conditionally selected on the basis her health and wellbeing needs were supported at the Olympics.
“It's true the past few weeks have been stressful and hectic, but I recognise that everyone involved in the process has a shared goal - to put my health and wellbeing first," she said.
“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 will be the sole female mountain biker in Paris, while the in-form Sam Gaze will be the sole male.
“Well done to Sam and Sammie, we’re pleased to have both of these athletes named to the New Zealand Team for Paris 2024 and can’t wait to see the silver fern on the mountain bike course in Paris,” NZOC chief executive Nicki Nicol said.
“We look forward to working with them to make sure they have the support they need to compete at their very best.”
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