Olympics axe still grinds with Kim Collins

 

Simon Turnbull
Monday 28 January 2013 01:00 GMT
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Kim Collins says he will never run for his country again, after being pulled out of the competition for visiting his wife. He said: 'I've been disrespected for too long for too many years.'
Kim Collins says he will never run for his country again, after being pulled out of the competition for visiting his wife. He said: 'I've been disrespected for too long for too many years.' (AFP)

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Louise Thomas

Louise Thomas

Editor

Five months on, Kim Collins was still shaking his head at the mention of London 2012. "I am the first man to get in trouble for allegedly having sex with his wife," the veteran Caribbean sprinter said, after finishing runner-up to Dwain Chambers in the 60m at the British Athletics Glasgow International Match. "I really don't understand the logic behind it."

Collins, the world 100m champion in 2003, was stripped of his Olympic accreditation by St Kitts and Nevis officials after leaving the Olympic Village – allegedly without their permission – to visit his wife, Paula, who also happens to be his coach, and their children at a London hotel.

Collins, who carried his country's flag in the opening ceremony, insists he did have permission and has vowed never to run for St Kitts again.

"I'm the most senior athlete on the planet, so at what point do you cut me some slack – even though they knew it was happening before it happened?" he said.

Collins decided to go ahead with his arrangements to compete in Glasgow after his half-brother, Winston Brown, was shot dead by police who were attending a domestic disturbance in St Kitts last Tuesday. "It's what my brother would have wanted," he said.

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