New Zealand's Valerie Adams competes in the Shot Put final at the IAAF World Indoor athletic championships in Portland, Oregon on March 19, 2016. Photo / Getty
New Zealand's Valerie Adams competes in the Shot Put final at the IAAF World Indoor athletic championships in Portland, Oregon on March 19, 2016. Photo / Getty
Valerie Adams is one of the most recognisable faces in New Zealand but she will now have a much bigger profile abroad after playing a leading role in Visa's global advertising campaign ahead of the Rio Olympics.
The two-time defending Olympic champion is depicted in the advert driving a numberof leading Olympic athletes from the US to Rio, including gold-medal winning American decathlete Ashton Eaton, four-time Olympic champion swimmer Missy Franklin and Canadian divers Jennifer Abel and Pamela Ware.
— Dame Valerie Adams (@ValerieAdams84) June 21, 2016
Adams posted the advert on her Facebook page, saying: "Check out Team Visa new ad. Pretty epic with some amazing athletes."
The 31-year-old is chasing a third Olympic gold and told Mike Hosking on Newstalk ZB that she had a simple message for her competitors; "Come August 12, at 10 am in the morning, I will be ready."
Though Adams admitted the injury that caused her to have knee surgery had taken its toll, she said she had come out the other side stronger and is confident she'll perform on the big stage.
"A year ago today, I was back in New Zealand contemplating a bumper end to my season," Adams said.
"Now, I'm firing on all four cylinders."
She also isn't phased by the controversy surrounding the games, including the Zika virus and the banning of Russian athletes, saying that there is always something everywhere you go.
While Adams hasn't been able to reach her personal best of 21.24m which she threw back in 2011, she doesn't believe her recent form and her inability to beat some of her competitors will have any bearing on her medal chances at Rio.
"Let me tell you one thing, what you do before the Olympics means nothing. It's whatever happens on that the day," she said.
"Whoever brings their game face and puts on the best performance on that day, is going to walk away with medals.
"Come hell or high water, I will leave my heart and soul out there and know I gave it my all."
