Athletics: 60 seconds with Valerie Adams

Valerie Adams. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Where are all your medals?

In a safe at home.

What did you do with the chocolate one Jean-Pierre Egger gave you as a replacement when you were waiting on the real Olympic gold medal?

I ate it. I needed to eat it before I got on the plane [back to New Zealand] because otherwise it would have melted in my bag.

What was the last book you read?

My book. It was the first proper time I had read it. Reality hit me that my life is on paper.

What is the best thing about being Valerie Adams?

[long pause] Valerie Adams is living her dream. This is something I have always wanted.

What is the worst thing?

Being public property. Like spooning food into your mouth and getting asked for a signature. Having your personal life laid out in public. That's pretty bad. 2010 was probably the worst year of my life, laying out two divorces [to ex-husband Bertrand Vili and former coach Kirsten Hellier] publicly. A book was different. I am recovered now. It's a bit easier to deal with.

What music do you listen to before a competition?

Reggae and hard rock. DJ Fobsta mix. It gets you in a rhythm.

Do you ever talk to the shot put?

No. That's just weird ("now listen to me, young lady ... ")

What's your favourite country apart from New Zealand?

Switzerland, because it's like New Zealand and I have been able to live there. It's nice.

Do you have one thing you have to travel with?

A clean pair of undies ... hair straighteners ... nothing. I don't take anything special because if your bag goes missing, it breaks or you forget it you might start freaking out. I have no time for that.

Homesickness has been an issue for you in the past. How will you deal with it this time?

Like I do every year, cry. The hardest part is saying goodbye at the airport. That sucks. The first two months is hell. There's no light at the end of the tunnel.

Once competition starts and I'm settled into my routine, it's okay. Thankfully there's Skype, phones, Facebook. If it gets to a point that it's really bad, it's easy enough for someone to hop on a plane and come over and see me.