Tribunal Overturns Decision, Olympic Dream Revived for Sammie Maxwell

New Zealand's Sammie Maxwell was reinstated in the Olympic team after a tribunal found selectors relied on incorrect medical evidence regarding her eating disorder. Originally excluded by the Cycling New Zealand nominations panel, Maxwell's appeal revealed faulty and discriminatory judgments, emphasizing the need to prioritize athletes' health and well-being.

New Zealand mountain biker Sammie Maxwell was reinstated in the country's Olympic team after a national sports tribunal ruled selectors had used incorrect medical evidence in her initial exclusion. The 22-year-old, who earned an Olympic quota but was initially denied a spot, appealed her case last month.

The tribunal found the Cycling New Zealand (CNZ) nominations panel had relied on an outdated doctor's report and deemed CNZ's high-performance director Ryan Hollows influenced the decision with a skewed memorandum expressing unfounded health concerns. The tribunal highlighted the discriminatory nature of CNZ's stance towards athletes with eating disorders.

The ruling stated that assuming an athlete with an eating disorder automatically has a mental or physical impairment sets a harmful precedent. Maxwell expressed gratitude for the support she received, acknowledging the process's stress but recognizing the shared goal of prioritizing her health and well-being.

(With inputs from agencies.)