The declaration of the special day was made after Collins won the 100m in the World Championships in France, in 2003, becoming an instant world class celebrity and bringing great pride and attention to his country.
The new champion was showered with many gifts and awards from both the government and private sector, which did everything possible to demonstrate just how grateful the country was for his remarkable achievement. It was a time that also united the people and for a brief moment political differences were ignored in favour of patriotism and unity.
In 2011 Collins again proved his abilities when he won the Bronze medal at the World Championships held in South Korea. This only ignited discussions about the possibilities for the 2012 Summer Olympic Games just concluded in London. However, due to fallout between Collins and the management of Team St. Kitts & Nevis, Collins was not able to participate.
Despite all this however, fans and admirers of the athlete have been paying tribute to Collins, as they celebrate Kim Collins Day on Saturday 25th August. Even politicians have seized the moment and are associating themselves with the occasion.
People’s Action Movement Deputy Political Leader Shawn Richards encouraged citizens, residents and nationals in the diaspora to celebrate the accomplishments of the world-class sprinter and national sports hero.
“August 25th Kim Collins Day should be celebrated and seen by all citizens and residents of this country as an opportunity to recognize and honour a true living legend and national sports hero as well as all our sporting heroes,” said Richards.
“I know that every Kittitian, Nevisian and West Indian all over the world cherished that moment in Caribbean sports history some 9 years ago in Paris, France when Kim ran full throttle into the annals of World and Caribbean sporting history,” Richards continued.
The People’s Action Movement Deputy Leader, along with his Co-Deputy Political Leader, Eugene Hamilton, was recently nominated to run for the leadership of their party, PAM.
Richards, on Saturday, also used the opportunity to congratulate the 2003 World Champion sprinter for his recent achievement just last week when he placed 3rd at the Eagle Stadium in Warsaw, Poland, at the 3rd annual Kamila Skolimowski Memorial Athletics meet.
“I congratulate Kim on his most recent success in Poland and I also wish him the very best in his future endeavours and look forward to his continued contribution to the development of the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis,” Richards continued.
“On behalf of the People’s Action Movement, I say congratulations and well done to Kim Collins and all the other potential little Kim Collins in our society. I encourage all youths to remember the accomplishments of Kim and celebrate his day for an individual who has made his mark on the world stage and boasts a career un-matched by very few if any other athlete in the Caribbean,” Richards said.
August 25th was declared Kim Collins Day in 2004, one year after he stunned the world with his victory in the World Championships.