Speaking at a press conference today (August 08) to clear the air on the debacle that unfolded at the London 2012 Games with two of the Federation’s sprint stars, Collins and Tameka Williams, SKNOC officials claimed that Collin’s recalcitrance led to the withdrawal of his accreditation hours before he was expected to compete in the 100 metres. He was also later expected to compete in the 200 metres and the 4×100 relay.
“Kim indicated in no uncertain terms that it is his way or the highway,” the officials said.
Mr. Collins, who won the 100- metre world title in 2003, was the flag bearer for St. Kitts-Nevis at the opening ceremony of the 30th Olympiad Games in London, England, but his career ended in disgrace.
An angry Collins said that he was finished with representing his country in track and field and that the Panam Games in Mexico was his last show on the international stage. Mr. Collins, 36, had vowed to bow out of track and field a few years before but mustered the stamina to stay on, winning several medals.
SKNOC officials said that they have had problems with Collins “every single time” but that “we manage it, manage it, manage it.” However, the London Olympics was “the straw that broke the camel’s back”.
Collins, it is said, absented himself from the olympic village and chose to remain incomunicado with the rest of the team despite efforts to communicate with him.
“He is constantly putting himself ahead of the team,” the SKNOC said.
“We regard and respect the contributions that Kim Collins has made and what he has done for St. Kitts and Nevis and it’s really rather unfortunate that he would have made these decisions. Up to now we have not been informed by him. We are not officially aware of the decisions that he has taken, where he is or anything of that nature.”
Collins, who promised in London “I am not leaving my wife’s side” is now back in St. Kitts after having left the side of his country’s olympic team and officials.
“One positive thing since the exit of Kim Collins is that we have seen a different attitude in the camp,” an official of the SKNOC said.