Speaking ahead of the opening International Association of Athletics Federation Diamond League meeting in Doha next Friday (May 15), the first in this year’s calendar, the IAAF World Athlete of the Year for 2014 - who has an unbeaten run of 56 events - said she had had to “dig really deep” to regain strength in her throwing arm after losing much of the feeling in her hand.

She added that she would definitely miss the first three Diamond League meetings featuring the women’s shot put, in Shanghai on May 17, Birmingham on June 7 and Oslo June 11 as she anticipated a return to action sometime in July.

“This summer’s World Championships are in my mind, but my biggest focus is next year’s Rio Olympics,” said the 30-year-old from Rotorua, now based at her Swiss training venue, in a phone conference organised by the IAAF.

Adams, who also missed the start of the 2013 season following operations on her right knee and left ankle, cut an ebullient figure in Monaco on November 22 as she stood alongside male IAAF World Athlete of the Year Renaud Lavillenie after receiving her trophy the International Athletics Foundation Gala.

But as she discussed the aftermath of the operations on September 26 back in her native New Zealand it emerged that the figure on stage in Monaco had only just started to believe she could maintain her career as an athlete.

“It was very difficult for me,” she said.

“It was my throwing arm, and it was nerve pain, which was something I had never experienced before.

"Believe me, the pain definitely kills you.

“After the operation I really lost feeling in my ring finger, and my pinky finger.

"It freaked me out.

“I had no strength in my hand. It affected everything, from cutting your fingernails to doing your hair.

“At one point I couldn’t do things like picking my phone up.

"It scared me, and I did believe my career may be in doubt.

"Three months ago I didn’t think I would ever be able to throw the shot put like I did again.

"It started playing on my mind.

“Looking back now, I guess that’s a normal thought just one or two weeks after being operated on.

"But I did worry, not just about track and field, but about how I would be living the rest of my life."

Adams added: “There were some dark days for me, and I had to dig really deep to get through that period.

“I also had to work really hard on getting the feeling back into my hand.

"I went to see all kinds of specialists, and I was told to do some exercises which I found really difficult.

“As an athlete I am used to hard, repetitive work.

"But I was being asked to do really awkward, gentle stretching exercises.

"But I just had to stick to what I was told to do.

“But the last three weeks of training have been pretty good.

“As time goes on, age catches up with you.

"But I still believe I can crack 21 metres again.

“This summer’s World Championships are in my mind.

"But my main target is next year’s Olympics, and I will do whatever I can to be there in good shape.

"As for what happens after Rio, that’s the $1 million question.

"But I am not looking that far into the future.

"I want to compete in Rio and then see where life takes me.

“I am looking to come back in July this year.

"But I don’t want to go out there and throw at 80 per cent.

"I want to be 100 per cent fit, and ready to rock and roll.”

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August 2012: New Zealand Sports Minister demands answers on Adams shambles
August 2012: Appeal by disgraced Belarus shot putter set to delay Adams' medal presentation