Athletics: Surgery successful for Adams

Valerie Adams has begun the long road to recovery after undergoing surgery on her left shoulder and right elbow in Auckland this morning.

The Olympic, Commonwealth and world champion remained unbeaten in 2014 despite being dogged by the pair of joint complaints. The surgeries were timed to coincide with an empty summer programme and give Adams plenty of time to prepare for the world championships in Beijing.

"Valerie's surgeries have been completed successfully," Adams' manager Nick Cowan said. "They were reasonably straightforward and the medical team are very happy. Valerie is now resting and her rehab programme begins."

Adams tweeted before the surgeries that she was ready for the long road ahead and looking forward to a clean bill of health.

"Long rehab ahead but I'm determined," she wrote. "Looking forward to getting fixed and sleeping."