Photo: Kim Collins (Getty Images)
Following his Birmingham Diamond League victory in the 100m on Sunday, St Kitts and Nevis sprinter Kim Collins took the opportunity to shed light on his 2016 season, including the likely chance of him making the trip to the upcoming Olympics to be held in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil.
Collins won the race in a time of 10.11 seconds, ahead of American Mike Rodgers who was credited with the same time and Briton Chijindu Ujah who was third in 10.12s.
It was shocking to the world when the then 36 year old Collins announced he would never run for his country again after being sent home from the London 2012 Olympics by officials from St Kitts and Nevis for staying in a hotel with his wife instead at the team village.
Kim Collins was supposed to be making history as the first person to compete in five Olympic Games for St Kitts and Nevis. Now he is hoping to get another chance to fulfil that dream.
When quizzed about his other expectations this season he pointed out that he is meeting his goals, but one of the top for 2016 is not all in his control.
“I achieved my first goal which was to go under 10 seconds at forty, then I am hoping to get a free pass at Rio. But the behaviour (of the President of the Association) back at home, is really shocking to me, that after so many years a person can behave that way I feel bad, because he is gaining too much strength. I really anticipated the new government would have helped but in my opinion they have taken his side,” lamented Collins.
He continued by saying that he will be lining up that the St Kitts and Nevis National Trials with the hope to win the crown at his age.
“I am going to the trials and I am going there to win because that’s another goal that I have, to go to the trials and win at forty.”
Collins also revealed that he is not guaranteed a place at the games even if he wins the trials citing his Association President as the man with the handle at the present moment.
“Even if I win the trials, because the President vows to abuse his power and he is doing that and nobody is saying anything. So he is gaining strength. Their silence is enough that he needs.”
Considering all he has done for his country and despite the way he is being treated, Collins still remains motivated and continues to enjoy competing in the sport he loves.
“I keep running faster and faster. I am saying at the end of the day, I’ve proven that I worked hard for this. I am not here because people think that I am handsome or my grandfather owns the company. No, I am here because I work hard and qualified to be at the Olympics. I can’t speak for other athletes but that’s how Kim Collins gets here,” he emphasized.
On May 30th, 2016 the ageless wonder Collins at forty year old ran 9.93 seconds, a new personal best and also a new Masters World Record. The secret to the former World Champion longevity and the secret to what keeps him going well at this age is simply the drive to do use his talent to serve his supporters.
“It’s not that hard. I keep telling so many other persons that it’s not hard as you think. Some people can make things looks hard and some people can make it look easy. Some people dance and they dance flawlessly, and people who can sing. I can’t sing, if I try I sound like I am crying. But when you have a talent and you’re good at it, you have a right to use it.
“Track and field is an individual sports and as an individual I have a right to do good for the people who support me. Cause they support Kim Collins first and everything after. Because it’s an individual you come to see out here. It’s all individual” he explained.
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