St. Kitts & Nevis – September 15, 2009 (WINN):  St. Kitts-Nevis sports icon Kim Collins announced his retirement from competitive athletics Monday.

An emotional and tearful Collins struggled to make his statement in front of local press and sports officials at the Kim Collins Pavilion in the Silver Jubilee National Stadium in Bird Rock, St. Kitts. 

“I’m trying very hard right now to hold back the tears,” said a tearful Collins.

“I have gotten to the point where I have to pass the torch on to the younger people. Speaking to Maritza, Virgil and Tiandra they assured me that they would fly the flag with honour, pride, integrity, for the love of the sport, the fans and all the people in St. Kitts and Nevis who love track and field,” he said, his voice breaking with emotion.

Taking a deep breath, Collins said, “Ladies and gentlemen I regret to announce that I am going into retirement from track and field.”

The track star said he felt that his body has come to the point where he could not keep training for competition anymore.

“It’s very tough to be training so many hours for so many days of the week. Competition, the travelling, as much as I have to do it I hate travelling… its tough and been away from my family especially my kids…I’m sorry I just can’t do it, I just can’t,” said the former world champion sadly.  

After expressing his thanks to all who helped him throughout the years Collins answered questions from the press about his memories, feelings and about the performance enhancing drugs in the sport.

He noted the many athletes who had come and gone during his career between 1993 and 2009, like Britain’s Linford Christie, Michael Johnson, Carl Lewis, Maurice Greene, Justin Gatlin, and Dwain Chambers, who he pointed out, had come and gone and come again.

Collins spoke candidly about the use of drugs in the sport, and said despite its availability he did not give into the temptation.

“Most of the athletes, I discouraged them because you can be in it for the long haul instead of the quick dollar and those of us who come in for the long haul will enjoy it.” 

The press conference was broadcast live on national and regional radio stations.

Kim Collins was born 5 April, 1976 and some eleven years later made his debut at the1997 World Championships in Athens, Greece. This was his first major championship, but unfortunately he failed to qualify for the second round in the 100m.

However, he improved quickly, and at the Sydney 2000 Summer Olympics in Australia, Collins became the first athlete from St. Kitts and Nevis to qualify for an Olympic final, finishing 7th in the 100m. The following year, he would win St. Kitts and Nevis’ first World Championship medal, when he tied for the bronze medal in the 200m in Edmonton, Canada.

At the 2002 Commonwealth Games, he won his first major title, although not after a doping controversy. After the 100m race, which Collins won after two other favourites from Great Britain pulled up in the final with an injury, he was tested positive for doping. However, it was found that the banned substance was part of the asthma medication Collins had been taking for several years, but had neglected to mention to the medical commission.

Collins who recorded a personal best time of 9.98 seconds claimed his biggest triumph at the 2003 World Championships in the Love, Paris, where he became the World Champion in the 100m clocking a time of 10.07 seconds.

With Olympic and World Champion Maurice Greene eliminated in the semi finals, the field was wide open. In a very close race, where the top four athletes finished within 0.02 seconds, Collins won and became the first World Champion from St. Kitts and Nevis.

At the 2005 World Championships, after struggling somewhat through the rounds, he claimed a bronze medal in the 100m behind Justin Gatlin and Michael Frater though he was given the same time as the latter.

Finishing fourth in his heat, Collins qualified for the finals in the men's 200m race in the 2008 Beijing Olympics and finished in 6th place.

Thanks for the Memories Kim.