The ugly dispute that led to St. Kitts and Nevis’ track and field icon, Kim Collins’ withdrawal from the London 2012 Olympic Games, has finally been brought to a closure.
Hours before the then 36-year-old was supposed to line-up in the men’s 100m first round, he was withdrawn from competition by his team’s officials, as alleged punishment for staying overnight in a hotel with his wife.
Since then, Collins and the St. Kitts and Nevis Olympic Committee have been at loggerheads over the London incident.
“I am extremely happy that our long standing issues have finally been put to rest, and I will once again have the honour of representing my country in track and field,” Kim Collins was quoted as saying in a joint statement between the SKNOC and himself.
Collins, in May, ran 9.93 seconds at a meeting in Germany – the fastest time by a St. Kitts and Nevis national.
“I personally welcome this new development and am pleased that Mr. Collins is now willing to compete for his country,” SKNOC President Mr. Alphonso Bridgewater, is quoted as saying.
The government of St. Kitts and Nevis, just last year, renamed the Jubilee Stadium the Kim Collins Stadium, which left many to believe that the end of the controversy was near.
So my friends, it’s now officially been confirmed! I’m going to #Rio2016 @paulacollins05 #Nike #thisis40 #40thenew20
— kim collins (@kimcollins100m) July 19, 2016
“The SKNOC and Kim Collins are committed to working together with renewed goodwill and in the interest of athletes of the St. Kitts and Nevis Olympic Team and the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis,” Bridgewater added.
“In moving towards participation, the SKNOC has given its blessing to the NF/SKNAAA, to nominate Mr. Collins for selection on the St. Kitts and Nevis Olympic Team as long as Mr. Collins satisfies the specific requirements,” the statement read.
As a result of all this, Collins is now saying, “my coach and I will now continue to put our full focus on ensuring that I am in the best shape for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.”
