Golden girl Valerie finally gets her medal – and new Prado

MEDIA RELEASE

20 September 2012

Golden girl Valerie finally gets her medal – and her new Prado

Toyota was at Auckland Airport alongside Kiwi fans to welcome home champion shot putter and Toyota ambassador Valerie Adams, and celebrate her gold medal glory on home soil.

Inside the terminal, Valerie was met by an army of family, friends and supporters – while outside a brand new Toyota Land Cruiser Prado was waiting for her.

Valerie said “It’s just an amazing homecoming and I’m so happy to be on New Zealand soil; it’s been such a long time. Thank you so much Toyota for this amazing car. I can’t wait to get in there and give it a good run.”

In what was the first Olympic gold medal ceremony to ever take place in New Zealand, Valerie received her gold medal from the Governor General, Sir Jerry Mateparae at the Cloud on Queens Wharf, before the sky was lit up brightly by fireworks displays held simultaneously in Auckland and Wellington.

Toyota New Zealand General Manager of Marketing, Neeraj Lala, says the company is proud of what Valerie achieved in London and joins all of New Zealand in celebrating her amazing achievement of winning successive Olympic gold medals.

“Valerie has shown the true meaning of sportsmanship throughout this time and this ceremony was a chance for all Kiwis to honour and celebrate her Olympic win.”

Valerie was chosen to be a Toyota New Zealand Ambassador in July, recognised by the company for her dedication and hard work in her chosen sport.

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