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Valarie Adams with photoshopped gold medal. - Source: ONE News -
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Olympic shot put champion Valerie Adams is delighted she will finally get to celebrate her gold medal with New Zealand fans.
Adams' gold medal is due to be presented at a special ceremony on Auckland's waterfront next Wednesday.
Adams' silver medal from last month's London Olympics was upgraded to gold after Belarusian rival Nadzeya Ostapchuk had the title stripped after testing positive for an anabolic steroid.
The New Zealand Olympic Committee has confirmed Adams' Olympic gold medal has been received in good condition by the IOC and preparations are underway for a public ceremony at 'The Cloud' next week.
The ceremony will be screened live on TV ONE and streamed on onenews.co.nz
Adams returns to the country on Wednesday morning after completing her successful European season with a throw of 20.77m to win the World Challenge meet in Italy on Monday.
Adams said she's thrilled to finally be receiving her new medal.
"It's exactly what I wanted," said a delighted Adams this morning. "A public celebration on the night I arrive back home is wonderful. I'm looking forward to celebrating the gold medal with the people of New Zealand, as well as my family and members of the New Zealand Olympic team."
The medal will be presented to Adams by Lt Gen The Rt Hon Sir Jerry Mateparae, Governor-General of New Zealand and New Zealand Olympic Committee Patron, who was at the 2012 London Olympic Games to support the New Zealand team.
More than 2,500 people are expected to gather at the free public event which will feature a performance from New Zealand Olympic song writing competition winner Sam RB, the medal ceremony and national anthem as well as a spectacular fireworks display in honour of Adams and the New Zealand Olympic team.
Adams will be joined at the event by gold medallists Mahe Drysdale, Eric Murray, Hamish Bond, Jo Aleh and Olivia Powrie as well as other medallists and members of the 2012 Olympic team.
New Zealand Olympic Committee Secretary General Kereyn Smith said the event would be outstanding.
"We've been working with Valerie to create a memorable event and are delighted to invite the people of New Zealand to share it," she said. "It will be a wonderful occasion that honours her achievements on the world's stage, as well the success of our proud London Olympic team.
"This is the very first time an Olympic gold medal will be presented in New Zealand and is an incredible opportunity for Kiwis to be proud and get involved."
While the ceremony itself takes place in Auckland, the medal ceremony will be simulcast by ANZ on a big screen at Frank Kitts Park in Wellington followed by a second major fireworks display on Wellington Harbour.
The fireworks taking place in both Auckland and Wellington are set to be two of the largest displays ever seen in New Zealand.
There will be more than 2,000 public tickets given away via The Radio Network.