Dame Valerie Adams

Dame Valerie Adams announces separation from husband

A statement released by the four-time World champion said: “I have something to share and I want you to learn of this from me personally.

“Gabriel and I have separated.

“While we are no longer together, we both remain entirely committed to our beautiful children.

“As with any breakup it can be emotional and difficult so I do ask that you please respect the privacy of my family during this time”.

Kaniva News reports Adams and Price are both half Tongan and they have two children, a daughter born in 2017 and a son.

Dame Valerie Adams in 'perfect spot' as she takes shot at fourth medal

That would be so Val. So the great Dame. At 36, at her fifth Olympics, having had not one, but two babies during this Games cycle, to scale the mountaintop one last time would be not just the ultimate comeback tale, but a fitting note on which to wrap up a shot put career studded with glory.

Adams is very much the story of the New Zealand athletics team of 13 who will begin competition on Friday, not to mention one of the cast-iron medal hopes. She will lead the charge from the front too, with shot put qualifying set for opening night.

Adams second as Osei-Nketia wins 100m

Adams best throw was 18.73 metres, with Mitton throwing 18.84 to claim the title.

Canadian Brittany Crew was third.

It was Adams third event back competing after giving birth to her second child.

Adams, who will wrap up her New Zealand season at next month's Nationals in Christchurch, says it was good to be challenged in Aotearoa.

Dame Valerie Adams begins 2020 Tokyo Olympics campaign

The two-time gold medal winner in the women's shot put at the Olympic Games will attempt to add another gong to her collection at Tokyo later this year after giving birth to her second child in March last year.

The 35-year-old will compete at the Allan and Sylvia Potts Memorial Classic in Hawke's Bay this weekend, with Adams hoping to be closer to her best form at the Sir Graeme Douglas International in West Auckland in late February.

Shot put champion Dame Valerie Adams finishes up with longtime manager

Adams posted on social media on Friday night that she has ended her involvement with Cowan, her manager of 14 years, and joined the Halo Sport agency.

"Hey all – just a quick note to let you know that I have made some changes to the structure of my team," Adams posted.

"Nick Cowan and I have agreed to part ways. Nick has decided to pursue other endeavours and I wish him well in those and thank him for all of his work over the years.

"I have made the decision to join the team at Halo Sport and I am looking forward to working with them."

Dame Valerie Adams gives birth to second child

In a tweet, the two-time Olympic gold medallist announced the arrival of Kepaleli Tava Sydney Adams-Price into the world, a baby brother to Kimoana.

The arrival came a little early; Adams' due date was April.

Dame Valerie, who was training as recently as February, previously said she wanted to compete at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics - her fifth games appearance if she makes it.

In December, the 34-year-old said she felt she would still have enough time to prepare for Tokyo after the birth of her boy in April.

Baby girl for Valerie Adams

The 33-year-old put her career on hold to fulfil her dream of having a family.

However, the plan is to return to competition in time for April's Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast.

At 33 weeks pregnant, Adams was still maintaining her training after receiving a medical clearance to lift "significantly lower" weights, although she was being monitored on a weekly basis.

Youth Commonwealth Games athletes learning from the best

A 34-strong New Zealand team will leave tomorrow for the competition.

Some of the athletes meet each other for the first time today, in their fresh uniforms you could tell they were feeling a mix of excitement with nervousness.

One of them sixteen year-old Pelea Fruean started boxing at the age of 12 when her big cousin Joseph Parker started teaching her.

It's now Dame Valerie Adams

She was formally invested as a Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit at Government House in Auckland.

Dame Valerie received the honour in the New Year's Honours list for services to athletics.

She is a four-time world shot put champion, three-time world indoor champion, two-time Olympic and three-time Commonwealth Games champion.

She has ruled out competing at the world champs in London this year but intends competing at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games next year.