Rio Olympics 2016: Valerie Adams - 'Everything is legit'

Gold medal winner United States' Michelle Carter, right, is congratulated by second placed New Zealand's Valerie Adams. Photo / AP

The contrast couldn't be greater for Valerie Adams when she climbs onto the silver medal dais for the second time at successive Olympic Games.

Kiwi shot put great Adams says finishing runner-up in Rio is a result she can feel proud of. It's as far removed from her bitter memories of four years ago in London, when Olympic silver represented all that was wrong in sport in her mind.

On that occasion, suspicions surrounding winner Nadzeya Ostapchuk proved correct when the Belarusian subsequently failed a drug test and was stripped of gold.

Adams was awarded her winner's medal at a ceremony in Auckland a month later but was always angry at being denied her moment of glory at the Games.

Not so this time.

Adams says she will enjoy Saturday's ceremony in the Olympic Stadium, a day after being beaten at the death by American Michelle Carter, who stole victory with a whopping final throw.

"London was a different story with a whole bunch of different people. Interesting-looking people," Adams said.

"It's fantastic to go on the podium tomorrow knowing that everything is legit.

"To get a medal is still awesome and I want New Zealand to know that I left my heart out there."

Unlike the disgraced Ostapchuk, 30-year-old Carter is a positive role model for the sport.

The daughter of former US shot put silver medallist Michael, she champions the cause of "bigger-bodied" athletes and runs a website encouraging young women to play sport and have confidence doing so.

- AAP