St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Dr. Timothy Harris has lauded that country’s world athletics champion Kim Collins. The prime minister said Collins was an International Standard Bearer for excellence and perseverance and for making St. Kitts and Nevis proud.
Harris made the comment while congratulating Collins on his most recent achievement. Recently, Collins, hailed as a sprint icon, was overwhelmingly elected to serve on the IAAF’s Athletes’ Commission for the next quadrennial, effective January 1, 2018 through December 31, 2021 having received the most votes.
The International Association of Athletics Associations (IAAF) was established in 1912 to set standards for competitive athletics globally.
Impressive record
Kim Collins, aged 41, has set an impressive record throughout his career. In 1996, he competed in his first Olympics in the 100 meters, making it past the first round when it was said he couldn’t. In 2000, he made it to the Olympic Finals among claims St. Kitts-Nevis was too small to produce an Olympic Finalist. It also was said that Collins’ small frame wouldn’t propel him into the world’s elite.
In 2002, he won the Commonwealth Championship when it was said a small island athlete couldn’t overcome British or Jamaican sprinters. In 2003, Collins won World Championship gold. In 2011, it was said he couldn’t reach another World Championship finals. He did, winning a bronze medal, leading Team SKN to its first World Championship relay medal.
Then in 2016, it was said no one could run under 10 seconds over the age of 35. Collins ran 9.93 seconds at age 40.
It’s this illustrious career that earned Collins his election to the IAAF Athletes Commission with more votes than other nominees, including from larger countries like Germany, Canada and the United States.
Outstanding role model
Harris acknowledged Collins as an outstanding role model for the young people of SKN, taking into his account his humble beginnings and solid determination to succeed.
“On behalf of the government of St. Kitts-Nevis and the entire nation, I congratulate Kim Collins on his latest achievement in his election to the IAAF Athletes Commission. Collins’ legacy, as far as our country is concerned, is his ability to unite us; as he did in 2003 when he united us in support of his tremendous success. His election to the IAAF Commission stirs similar emotions of togetherness and unity. All of us are proud of his continued exhibition of excellence and perseverance at the highest International level.”
