BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – AT THE START of his 19th year on the international athletic circuit, Kim Collins continues to be a marvel on the world stage of athletics.
At the IAAF International Diamond League Championships at Doha on Friday May 10, 2013, Collins placed 4th in the 100m at a time of 10.04 secs - the same time Usain Bolt achieved when he won the Cayman’s Invitational just a week before.
The Doha 100m race was won by Gaitlin of the USA and the results were as follows:
100 Metres – Men Race 2 Wind: +1.2 m/s
1 Gatlin, Justin USA 9.97
2 Rodgers, Mike USA 9.99
3 Carter, Nesta JAM 9.99
4 Collins, Kim SKN 10.04
What makes Collins’ placing significant is that he is over a decade older than his competitors. “Age is no barrier’” says Collins, “as long as one keeps performing."
When asked if he was happy with his career thus far, he replied, “Yes, I am very happy with what I have achieved. It has been an amazing journey. To win medals at my age is still an amazing thing.”
Recently Collins has been placed among the 10 fastest starters of all time, and according to an interview in Doha, his immediate goal in 2013 is simply to reset himself as a great sprinter.
Kim was also asked what everyone else who observes him is asking.
“How come a small country like yours produced such a great athlete like you?”
Kim’s answer was: “I think all countries have champions hidden in them. They have to be found and nurtured.”
Kim Collins entered world athletics in 1995. Eight years later in 2003 he was crowned world champion in Paris. Since then he has gone on to win six more global medals (indoors and outdoors), took part in ten World Championships and ran in three Olympic finals. He is now concentrating on his next target — the Moscow World Championships.
In Doha, he was asked,
“Do you have any plans to retire?”
His reply: “I have been thinking about it (laughs). I have to find a job that suits me. But for the time being, I would like to keep going. Every time I wanted to stop, success would come.” He later indicated that he would probably become a coach.
One can conclude that what keeps Collins going is the wholesome attitude he brings to his sport. “Athletics for me was an adventure,” he says and he brings a positive outlook to his participation.
Ahead of his Doha experience, one reporter queried, “Do you feel anxious ahead of your race at the Doha Diamond league?”
“I am not anxious,” Kim replied, “but more excited.”
While at home here some can only grudgingly admit to his success, being unable to see beyond narrow political limits, there is absolutely no doubt that Kim Collins remains a world class phenomenon.
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