Athletics: Vili having 'marital difficulties'

Valerie Vili has reverted back to her maiden name Adams. Photo / Greg Bowker

New Zealand's world and Olympic shot put champion will resume using her maiden name Valerie Adams after an announcement she is experiencing marital difficulties.

An Athletics New Zealand spokesman today said Adams had requested she be referred to by her former name rather than Valerie Vili, which was later confirmed by her manager, Nick Cowan.

Cowan didn't want to disclose details of the problems Adams and Bertrand Vili are having, preferring to issue a one-sentence statement to NZPA.

"Bertrand and Valerie are currently experiencing difficulties which they are working through."

Adams married New Caledonia discus thrower Vili in 2004.

This year has been a tumultuous one for Adams, who parted ways with long-time coach Kirsten Hellier in March to come under the guidance of Frenchman Didier Poppe.

She has since struggled to recapture her dominant form of recent years, finishing second on a regular basis behind arch rival Nadezhda Ostapchuk of Belarus.

That trend continued at the Diamond League meet in Zurich this morning (NZT).

- NZPA