Dame Val advocates blanket ban on Russia

Dame Valerie Adams believes Russia should not be allowed to host any significant international sports events until the country can prove it is drug-free.

The two-time Olympic shot put champion, who received her honour in the New Year list announced today, was initially robbed of a second gold medal in the 2012 London Games before Belarusian Nadzeya Ostapchuk was exposed as a drug cheat. Adams admits she was shocked by the sophistication and depth of the recently exposed Russian doping programme and that it was state-sponsored by the Putin government.

"It's pretty disgusting and I think the IOC made a pretty good stand in suspending the whole country. That was the only way to let them know this is unacceptable," the four-time world champion told the Herald.

"I hear people say 'but the clean Russian athletes are suffering'. But in fact they are forgetting the clean athletes who are competing against the Russians are suffering. I've been put in that situation. Why should we suffer the consequences of something that is state-endorsed?

"You have to hold the chicken by the neck and strangle it until it stops. Until you do, that nothing is going to change."

Adams believes that extends to banning Russia from hosting major events such as football's next World Cup in 2018 and future events like the Olympics and world track and field championships.

"You can never guarantee a clean event," she conceded. "A lot of stuff came out of Sochi (2014 Winter Olympics). It's only my opinion but I think they should be totally suspended from hosting any events whatsoever internationally until they prove they are doing their part to keep the sport clean.

"Otherwise it's not fair on athletes around the world who are training for hours and hours to go to events where they get out-done by dope cheats."

Adams, who is yet to decide if she will compete in 2017 but does want to go to the Commonwealth Games the year after, was also bemused but also irritated by the fanfare around disgraced cyclist Lance Armstrong's recent visit to New Zealand.

"I thought it was interesting but it's a big joke in my opinion. He got a little more coverage than he deserved. He destroyed cycling. A lot of young athletes looked up to him, and then he comes to New Zealand and a lot of people were hailing him like a god. I think it's sad. For him to come here and hold that bike cycling event, in my opinion I think it's pretty disgusting."