OLYMPIC DREAM: Rotorua's Valerie Adams is aiming to win gold medals at three consecutive Olympics when she competes in Rio. PHOTO/ MARK MITCHELL
OLYMPIC DREAM: Rotorua's Valerie Adams is aiming to win gold medals at three consecutive Olympics when she competes in Rio. PHOTO/ MARK MITCHELL
When Rotorua-born Olympic diamond Valerie Adams steps into the spotlight at the Rio Games she will be aiming to win gold at three consecutive Olympics.
Among Kiwis, only Adams, runner Peter Snell, rowers Dick Joyce, Caroline and Georgina Evers-Swindell, coxswain Simon Dickie, kayakers Ian Ferguson and Paul MacDonald and equestrianrider Mark Todd have won golds at consecutive Games.
But breaking records are nothing new for Rotorua's favourite sporting daughter - she is the only woman to win four consecutive shot put world championships.
She also set a record 56 straight victories at international-ranked meets between August 2010 and July 2015.
Local Lake City Athletic Club vice-president Pam Kenny said athletics may see a "spike" in participation in the area, thanks to the inspiring double gold medal-winning Olympian.
"I don't doubt that a similar calibre of athlete to Valerie will be produced again and wouldn't it be great if it's someone who is inspired by the Rio Olympics."
Adams also became the first female thrower to be awarded the world governing body's 'athlete of the year' title.
"She is a shining light especially for women and I hope more females are encouraged into athletics," Kenny said.
Adams even shattered the gender divide in Tonga when appointed the first woman matapule or chief from her village Houma.
She and Soviet Tamara Press (1960 and 1964) are the only female shot putters to win back-to-back Olympic titles.
Close family friend Bea Yates, who taught Adams' younger brother and basketball star Steven at Rotorua Lakes High, said Adams was a "force to be reckoned with" from an early age.
"Valerie was always a very determined individual who looked like a leader from a very young age," she said.
"I could see that one day she would be standing tall and proud. Everyone is so proud of what she has achieved - it's remarkable.
"She is one of Rotorua's children and I most certainly will be tuning in to cheer her on all the way."
The only barrier seemingly beyond her arc is the world record - 22.63m set by Soviet Natalya Lisovskaya at Moscow in June 1987.
Adams' best throw of 21.24m, set at the 2011 world championships in South Korea, ranks her 23rd on the all-time distance list.
Adams suffered the indignity of 'losing' to Belarusian drug cheat Nadzheya Ostapchuk at the London Olympics. She had no option but to accept silver but later received gold from then Governor-General, Sir Jerry Mateparae, at a ceremony in Auckland.
OLYMPIC DREAM: Rotorua's Valerie Adams is aiming to win gold medals at three consecutive Olympics when she competes in Rio. PHOTO/ Greg Bowker.
However, a put of 20.05m to win the Monaco Diamond League this month, against the majority of her key rivals, places her in contention to win a third gold. It was her first competitive throw beyond 20m since 2014.
Adams has suffered a major blow in the build-up to Rio - influential coach Jean-Pierre Egger will not be joining Adams at the Olympics, after the 73-year-old suffered a recent knee injury.
Despite the loss Adams remains upbeat and fully focused ahead of walking out onto the world biggest sporting stage on August 12 in Rio.
"I'm gutted JP can't be there with me and it's disappointing for him," Adams said.
"But I'm in great form and really looking forward to competition day [August 12], as is JP and the rest of the team.
