A date with a gold medal

Valerie Adams has an important date next Wednesday, 19th September; the Herald reports:

Olympic champion Valerie Adams will receive her gold medal in a public ceremony in Auckland next week, the New Zealand Olympic Committee has confirmed.
The gold medal, which has been handed over by disgraced Belarus shot putter Nadzeya Ostapchuk, has been received in good condition by the IOC.
Adams will return to New Zealand from Switzerland on Wednesday 19th September and the medal ceremony will take place at 'The Cloud' on Auckland's waterfront that evening.
"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."
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.
More than 2,500 people are expected to gather at the free public event.

This is great news. It's not the same as an Olympic Stadium ceremony, but on the plus side, more of Valerie Adams' friends, families and supporters will be able to share the moment with her.

The gold medal will be presented by the Governor-General, Lt Gen Rt Hon Sir Jerry Mateparae. Having the Queen's representative to New Zealand involved will make this a right-royal affair, and one with which all New Zealanders should take pride in as our latest double Olympic champion is belatedly rewarded.