Visa backs Valerie Adams until London 2012 Olympic Games

Visa New Zealand has today announced it will support Olympic Gold Medalist and Shotput World Champion, Valerie Adams (previously Vili) until the London 2012 Olympic Games.



Adams will represent Visa, a worldwide Olympic Games sponsor for more than 20 years, as its ambassador.



“Visa has financially supported me since 2007 and this kind of long term commitment plays a huge role in helping me prepare for the intense demands of competing internationally.



“Taking the financial pressure off, and the ongoing encouragement provided by Visa, allows me to fully dedicate myself to training in the lead up to the London Olympics,” says Adams.



Visa’s New Zealand Country Manager, Sean Preston, says Visa is delighted to continue sponsoring one of New Zealand’s most successful sportspeople of all time.



“With such phenomenal achievements at a young age, Valerie is nothing short of an inspiration for all New Zealanders.



“Athletes at Valerie’s level face enormous pressures, with the whole nation’s hopes on their shoulders. Despite this, Valerie just gets on with the job. Her commitment, drive and passion for what she wants to achieve, and her resulting successes, makes us hugely proud to continue our partnership with her and be a part of helping her achieve her goals,” says Preston.



Valerie Adams is the current Olympic, Commonwealth and World women’s shot put champion and has won the supreme Halberg Award , New Zealand’s most prestigious athletic award, for the past three years— the first woman to do so. Her achievement is only matched by rower Rob Waddell.



She was received as an Officer of The New Zealand Order of Merit in April 2009 as a result of her service to athletics.