Credit where it’s due

That Women’s shot-put final this afternoon was sporting theatre from the top drawer.

Obviously, all of New Zealand wanted Valerie Adams to do three in a row, especially after the events of London.  And for most of the final it looked as if she would.

Despite all that reconstructive surgery she made her mark early.  After the first round she led, after the second she’d hiffed the put 20,42 metres out there.

Take that followers.

Christina Schwanitz of Germany was amongst the favourites entering the competition, and she was visibly overawed by the challenge.  The Germans probably have a word for that.

Gong Lijiao, with all the questions surrounding her integrity, folded similarly.  There was mental disintegration going on.

But there was Michelle Carter.  She briefly held the lead at the start of Round Two, but she failed to back that up.  In her final throw, at an Olympics final, and in her final throw, she nailed it.  A Personal Best of 20.63 metres, and on her final throw.

It wasn’t over yet.  Adams put her game face back on and threw another throw in the 20.40 region.  It was not to be, but it was high drama.

She then gave a series of gracious interviews as we’ve come to expect, and we’ve come to tak pride in.

An extraordinary career from an extraordinary athlete.  And what a way for the run to come to an end.  This was sport at its most dramatic.

That is not to say it’s the end for Adams; not at all.  But what a way for a potential triple Gold quest to be broken.  Very fitting.