IAAF world female athlete of the year Valerie Adams has once again become the winner of the New Zealand Olympic Committees Lonsdale Cup.Adams has secured the prestigious award for an unprecedented fifth time after remaining unbeaten throughout 2014.
She took gold at both the World Indoor Championships and the Commonwealth Games and also secured her position as overall winner of the Diamond League for the fourth consecutive time with a record 56 wins. Adams was also the flag bearer for the New Zealand Commonwealth Games Team this year in Glasgow.
The Lonsdale Cup goes to the athlete or team who made the most outstanding contribution to Olympic or Commonwealth sport in the preceding year. Adams is the first person to win the Lonsdale Cup five times.New Zealand Olympic Committee CEO Kereyn Smith highlighted Adams commitment to youth and sport, as well as her performance on the field.
Valeries achievements inspire millions of New Zealanders. She is also very engaged with young Kiwis, encouraging them to be active and healthy, said Smith.Her success on the worlds stage speaks for itself and her ability to remain at the top of her game is testament to her sheer determination to excel.
Adams herself was honoured to receive the Lonsdale Cup after a challenging year. "This is such a privilege and honour and I am very humbled," she said. While it's been a difficult year for me this year, there have been some special highs along the way including the honour of carrying the New Zealand flag at the Commonwealth Games. Receiving the Lonsdale Cup is another highlight for me this year. I really want to thank the New Zealand Olympic Committee for this special award."
Adams won the Lonsdale Cup in 2006, 2007, 2011 and 2013 and was the first person to be awarded the award for a third, fourth and fifth time.The Cup was first presented in 1961 to Sir Murray Halberg.Since then it has been awarded to outstanding New Zealand athletesincluding Sir John Walker, Sir Peter Snell, Barbara Kendall and Rob Waddell.The Cup is sterling silver and of historic value, having its origins in a 1911 sporting festival between the United Kingdom, Canada and Australasia held to honour the accession of George V.The Lonsdale Cup winner is selected by New Zealand Olympic Presidents Council (business and sporting leaders) and the New Zealand Olympic Committee Board.
Lonsdale Cup Winners 1961 - 20121961Murray Halberg (athletics)1962Peter G Snell (athletics)1963William D Baillie (athletics)1964Peter G Snell (athletics)1965Don Oliver (weightlifting)1966Valerie Young (athletics)1967David McKenzie (athletics)1968Ian Ballinger (shooting)1969Jeff Julian (athletics)1970W D (Harry) Kent (cycling)1971Les Mills (athletics)1972Rod Dixon (athletics)1973Jack Foster (athletics)1974Richard Tayler (athletics)1975John Walker (athletics)1976T L J (Dick) Quax (athletics)1978Rebecca Perrott (swimming)1979Ian Ferguson (canoeing)1980Anthony Cuff (cycling)1981David Barnes & Hamish Wilcox (yachting)1982Neroli Fairhall (archery)1983David Barnes & Hamish Wilcox (yachting)1984Ian Ferguson (canoeing)1985Ian Ferguson & Paul McDonald (canoeing)1986Anthony Mosse (swimming)1987Paul McDonald (canoeing)1988Bruce Kendall (yachting)1989Anthony Mosse (swimming)1990Gary Anderson (cycling)1991Anna Simcic (swimming)1992Danyon Loader (swimming)1993Brenda Lawson (rowing)1994Stephen Petterson (shooting)1995Chris White (rowing)1996Danyon Loader (swimming)1997Beatrice Faumuina (athletics)1998Rob Waddell (rowing)1999Barbara Kendall (yachting)2000Rob Waddell (rowing)2001Blyth Tait (equestrian)2002Sarah Ulmer (cycling)2003Caroline and Georgina Evers- Swindell (rowing)2004Sarah Ulmer (cycling)2005New Zealand Rowing Team (rowing)2006Valerie Adams (athletics)2007Valerie Adams (athletics)2008Caroline and Georgina Evers-Swindell (rowing)2009Mahe Drysdale (rowing)2010Silver Ferns (netball)2011Valerie Adams (athletics)2012Hamish Bond and Eric Murray (rowing)2013Valerie Adams (athletics)2014Valerie Adams (athletics)