First Gold Medal Stripped at London Olympics Benefits New Zealand
Valerie Adams of New Zealand has belatedly been awarded the gold medal in the Woman’s Shot Put event, after the disqualification of Nadzeya Ostapchuk from Belarus.
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Breaking news here in New Zealand this morning was like music to everyone’s ears. Last week one of this country’s most favourite athletes, Valerie Adams, long time favoured to win the gold at the London Olympics, came only second to the original winner Nadzeya Ostapchuk from Belarus. As Valerie had been number one in the world this year, the sudden emergence of Ostapchuk throwing the superior winning shot came as a surprise.
English: Valerie Adams at the 2011 Bislett Games (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
However, it is wonderful to know that the relentless drug testing programme in these Games has paid off. Nearly a week after the event, Ostapchuk has failed drug testing that occurred during the event on the 5th and 6th August. She tested positive for anabolic agent metenolone during in-competition testing and has now been disqualified and stripped of her gold medal.
Valerie Adams received the news at her training base in Switzerland. At first she wasn’t sure whether someone was pulling her leg or not, but is now elated knowing the result has been announced. She has publicly thanked all New Zealanders for their support.
I’m sure all New Zealanders are smiling this morning, as this woman athlete certainly deserves her golden moment. Shortly before the woman’s shot put event, a terrible discovery was made. Somehow Valerie’s entry was not showing on the list of competitors. There had really and truly been a bungle, by the NZ Olympic committee it seems. While everyone held their breath, the error was eventually corrected and when Adams came second, many assumed it was because of the stress she’d gone through prior to the event.
Valerie Adams will now receive her well deserved gold medal at a special medal ceremony. This makes here a double gold medallist, having won the same event at the last Olympics. I’m sure there will be much celebration, not only amongst the New Zealand athletes who competed at the Games, but throughout the whole of New Zealand.
NZ have done amazing in these Olympics for a country with such a small population they should be in the top tire
I am so pleased about this result, I cant stand cheats, good for the Kewi’s and booo to all cheats.
A nice read Val
Congratulations to Valerie and to NZ: top country for medals pro rata on population. (Watch out for all those tiny new island states though!). Good article. Now if RUGBY was in the Olympics…
Well written piece, thank you.
It’s good to know this drug cheat was found out, and the rightful
athlete has got her gold-medal. Well done NZ.
That’s great news Val, glad the rightful athlete got her gold medal
.
I hope doping should be prevented by all means. Good that the one who deserved it got it finally!
article very good and the writing that gives knowledge.
“Cheaters never prosper.” Nice Kiwi-centric post, Val.
Congrats to the two-time Olympic champion in women’s shot put. I didn’t see this event, among many others. *lol*
Not only New Zealanders are rejoicing, the whole International Sports Community must be waving their hands in approval. Miss Adams can now claim the gold which was stolen from her.
Well written and thanks for sharing.
Eddy.
Congrats to Valerie Adams and New Zealand, well done.
Very concise reporting of the subject. I learned something. I only partially heard of it for some reason. Thanks for sharing.
Well done, New Zealand.
I’m so pleased for her. She deserves it.