With just 60 days left until the Rio Olympics, there have been mixed results overnight for three Kiwi medal favourites.
Lisa Carrington is well on target for gold following another World Cup win, while veterans Nick Willis and Valerie Adams still have work to do as they prepare for their fourth Olympic games.
When you've been at the top for as long as Adams, it doesn't matter what challenges you face, you're still expected to win. She didn't throw far enough today, and despite winning last week's Diamond League meet in Rome, Adams couldn't reproduce it in Birmingham, falling 10cm short of Tia Brooks' winning throw.
But speaking before the meet, the 31-year-old delivered a few gentle reminders.
"Okay, so this is my fourth Olympic games -- so let's not forget that," Adams laughed.
The double Olympic champion's Rio expectations may be tempered, but her hunger to win is greater than ever.
"I'm up for a challenge. I've come this year with more motivation and I'm more pumped than ever, even though I'm a lot older," she said.
Also competing in his fourth Olympics is Beijing silver medallist Willis. The 33-year-old got a rude welcome to his first Diamond League outing this season in the form of lightning-quick Kenyan Asbel Kiprop.
Kiprop posted the fastest time over 1500 metres this year -- a warning to Willis and his Rio competitors.
Meanwhile, all is on track for Carrington. Not only is she odds-on favourite to defend her K1-200 title, the paddling star looks a good chance to add the K1-500 to her Olympic haul, after taking gold at the World Cup event in Portugal.
Carrington heads to a pre-Olympic camp in Spain next month.
Newshub.
