BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – DESPITE the controversy that occurred at the London Olympics which resulted in two of the St. Kitts-Nevis athletes leaving the team and returning to the Federation, the SKN Olympic Committee (SKNOC) is encouraging persons to still support the team.
At a live press conference on Wednesday, with SKNOC officials in London and the local media, the SKNOC said that despite the incidents involving two of their teammates the remaining have been doing well and have taken on a positive attitude.
The media were told that the athletes have adopted a theme, “One Team, One Speed. One Team, One Sound. One Team, One Dream! Relay Boyz”.
Alphonso Bridgewater, President of the SKNOC, congratulated Antoine Adams who had made it through to both the semi-finals for the 100m and the 200m.
They also discussed the issues with the two athletes, Tameka Williams who was dismissed from the team for taking a substance considered to be outside the internationally accepted Medical Code; and Kim Collins who quit the team after his accreditation was taken away and felt he was denied the 100m race because he “visited his wife.”
According to SKNOC officials they had not heard from Collins since August 1 and he was scheduled to participate in the 100m heats held on Saturday, August 4.
They stated Collins had broken a number of rules and regulations.
At the teleconference, the officials in London disclosed the name of the substance Williams was using which they said was ‘Blast Off Red’.
She was sent home to St. Kitts on Saturday July 28.
Lester Hanley, Manager of the team, said that the substance is used in veterinary service and used in horse racing, dog racing and camel racing.
“It is something outside the medical code and not to be used by humans; it is for use by animals,” he said.
About Collins, the officials said that everything was taken into consideration about his career and how important this fifth Olympic was to him.
They said that a lot of stuff was taken into consideration even before he left the Federation and said that there were issues even then.
They said that they tried many ways to work with Collins and went out of their way to get passes for his wife to visit the Olympic Village.
On Saturday, August 4, Collins posted on his facebook: “Hours before my 5th 100m Olympic race, I now find out I can’t run, all because I was in a hotel with my wife/coach. S.K.N.O.C REALLY? Are you freaking kiddin me!!”
Collins also told international press that he will never run for his country again.
In a release issued by the SKNOC, it stated that permission for leave was granted on Wednesday (1st August) at 8.00 a.m. with a mutual agreement that Collins report back for training with the rest of the team at 7:30 a.m. on Thursday August 2.
The release continued by saying that Collins chose to abuse the privilege granted and effectively stayed away from the Olympic Village for a further two days with minimal communication with his managers or coaches.
The officials felt as if they could not come to a compromise with Collins and that Collins made decisions not to run and to leave the team on his own.
“We never expelled him from the team, but it was basically like his way or the high way,” the officials said.
The conference ended with the SKNOC encouraging persons to support the remaining athletes, Brijesh Lawrence, Antoine Adams, Lestrod Roland, Jason Rogers and Delwayne Delaney.
The race will begin at 2:45 p.m. today (Friday) EST.
