IN WHAT SOUNDS like St Kitts and Nevis’ answer to our own Saipan debacle, sprinter Kim Collins has been sent home from the London Games as punishment for visiting his wife at a hotel.
The 36-year-old, who won the World Championship 100m title in 2003, was a notable absentee from the seventh heat of the 100m dash today.
A furious Collins said he would never again run for the small Caribbean nation, and complained he had been shown a lack of respect.
“I could be wrong but I don’t see why it should be such a problem,” Collins said. ”I would have better luck if I went out with some chick and came back and there wouldn’t be a bit of a problem.
“I honestly don’t see what is the big deal. I’m a grown man with kids, about to have grandkids.”
Disrespected
Collins will not be hanging around in London for the 200m and sprint relay, having had the chance to race in the 100m wrenched away from him.
“I’m about to go and change my flight and go home,” he told BBC Radio Five Live, “and see my kids who I haven’t seen for a while. For me it’s a done deal.
“I’ve been disrespected for too long for too many years.”
The opening ceremony flag-bearer for his country was apparently expected by his national federation not to leave the Olympic Village.
“I can’t stay here,” Collins said. “I did not come to London to watch the 100m final on TV.
“I’ve got to go home. What am I supposed to do here? Act like a tourist? No.
“Do you know how many mornings I wake up, I could be in bed with my wife but I’m off training and winning, whenever, wherever, for this? I earned my right to be here.
“They’re asking me to abandon my wife for my team. It’s not going to happen.”
Collins revealed he could not even access the Olympic Village today.
“I’m not walking away. When I came to the village I could not get into the village,” he said. ”My pass, my accreditation, was cancelled. I’m not walking away, I’ve been pushed out.”
Ah yeah, A familiar tale. If Kim decides not to retire then we know a country not too far from London who could do with a sub-10-second man.
The precedent has been set, after all.
