Despite saying he’d never compete for St Kitts and Nevis again after he was stopped from running at the 2012 London Olympics by the country’s athletics ruling body, Kim Collins has set his sights on representing the Caribbean Island at this year’s Commonwealth Games.
The veteran sprinter, who will turn 38 in April, was dropped from London 2012 after leaving the Olympic village to go for a meal with his wife, but he has now indicated he may consider representing his country again because his fans want him to.
“The fans have stepped up and said “hey, we want to see you”,” he told the BBC. “I have to acknowledge that, because these are the people who make things happen in track and field.”
Collins claimed gold last time he ran at the Commonwealth Games during the 2002 competition in Manchester where he won the 100 metres, and broke the 10-second barrier for the first time in his career.
Collins has competed in eight consecutive world championships, scooping four bronze medals throughout, but in 2003 he picked up his highest accolade to date and brought home gold from Paris.
The 37-year-olds impressive career also boats appearances in three Olympic finals, finishing seventh in 2000 (100m), sixth in 2004 (100m) and sixth in 2008 (200m) respectively.
His decision is by no means final but Collins, who this weekend captains the Commonwealth Select team at the Glasgow International Match, feels the opportunity is right as there is a new executive at the helm of St Kitts and Nevis athletics, providing a chance to move on.
Collins divulged to the BBC: “I don’t want to jump the gun and say yes to running at the Commonwealth Games, but deep down I’m thinking it’s more possible now.”
The 37-year-old holds the world record for the masters class in the 100 metres at 9.97 seconds, which he ran in Lausanne last July in the Diamond League, and during the same month he went under the 10-second mark again with a 9.99 clocking in Budapest. He is also the oldest man to go below 10-seconds in the 100 metres and shows no sign of slowing down as the years advance.
In Glasgow this weekend, Collins will contest the rarely run 150 metres, where he will face England’s James Ellington in what should, on paper at least, be a tight race.
“I think I have an excellent chance of winning. I don’t see why not. Training has gone very well and I never fear the competition,” Collins spoke.
The Glasgow International Match takes place on Saturday, January 25, from 13.45 at the Emirates Arena. Athletics at the Commonwealth Games are happening between July 27 and August 2, 2014.
