Olivia Podmore's mother says one life is too many, as she calls for change in light of a 1News uncovering a Sport Integrity Commission investigation into Boxing New Zealand that continues.
The commission is investigating the organisation after complaints that include bullying, favouritism, drunken behaviour and inappropriate comments.
Chris Middleton, Olivia's step-father, said it hurt watching the athletes tell their stories to 1News.
"It was very similar to Livvy," he said, "Livvy was this one person on an island and that's what it seems like these boxers are."
The hardest part has been listening to these stories yet again, he said, five years on from the death of Olympic cyclist Olivia Podmore who took her own life.
"Continuously we're hearing that the very people at the top of these organisations are knowing what is going on behind the scenes," Middleton said.
He questioned why the commission's investigation, which was opened in May, has taken so long.
Nienke, Podmore's mother, agreed.
"These boxers, they're not just good at a local level, they are on the world stage, and they just have such a small window to perform with the Olympic cycle and the Commonwealth Games coming up next," she said.
"If they don't know what their next six months, 12 months, 18 months looks like, it is very difficult for them to plan ahead with their lives financially and sporting-wise to prepare for these events to perform their best."
The Sport Integrity Commission said it does not normally respond to specific questions about investigations, but due to the public interest, could speak in general terms about its processes. It said it was comfortable it has acted "appropriately and as promptly as can be reasonably expected" given the circumstances.
"When we open an investigation, it is reserved for large, complex or systemic matters that reach the public interest threshold under our Act," it said. "It will usually be broad and complicated, in some cases involving a multitude of people or organisations."
It said it understood there can be frustration when matters take time to resolve but it would never rush an investigation. Adding, their focus is on ensuring their work is “fair, thorough, and protects the rights and confidentiality of those involved”.
Boxing New Zealand said it was cooperating with the commission and would not comment until the investigation is complete. Meanwhile, the organisation's kept the head coach, Billy Meehan in his role.
Middleton said the Government needs to get involved.
"There are so many reviews [about sporting organisations], you can't even count them," he said.
"If you're going to put all this money into sport every year, which the government does, then there's meant to be a return on it and not necessarily winning medals, but having athletes that are engaging [and] doing the best for New Zealand."
"We would have thought that one life was too many," added Nienke. "We should learn from that and actually proper change should have occurred for the athletes."
The Government told 1News it could not interfere with ongoing investigations but confirmed Sports Minister Mark Mitchell has met with the Sport Integrity Commission.
“It was a constructive meeting which provided me with a clear picture of the complexities involved in the commission’s work," he said.
“I restated my expectations, particularly in relation to timeliness. I have received assurances from the commission that they are progressing the investigation as expeditiously as possible. I will continue to monitor this.”
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