Robert Oliver began his sporting career playing rugby in Waipukurau, New Zealand. Due to his small size, however, Oliver was often left out of the team selection, so he switched his focus to athletics, before becoming a cyclist. In the late 1960s he would often travel to the town of Hastings on the bus, some 30 miles away, compete in a race, and then cycle back home. In 1970 he travelled to Australia, where he placed fourth in the Tour of Tasmania, before winning the Air New Zealand Grand Prix one year later. Oliver was then selected to compete in the road race at the 1972 München Olympics, but he did not finish the course. After his retirement he ran his own cycling shop in Hastings.
New Zealand