St Kitts-Nevis PM labels Kim Collins ‘international standard bearer for excellence’

The Prime Minister of St Kitts and Nevis has described the country’s medal-winning sprinter Kim Collins as an “international standard bearer for excellence and perseverance”

Timothy Harris said the federation was proud of the athlete’s career.

Earlier this week it was announced that Collins, 41, had been elected to serve on the International Association of Athletics Federations’ (IAAF) Athletes’ Commission.

He will begin his term on 1 January 2018.

“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,” Harris said.

“Collins’ legacy will not only be one of perseverance and excellence but no doubt it will go beyond the track. Collins’ legacy, as far as our country is concerned, is his ability to unite us all; just as he did in 2003 when he brought all of us together in unity in support of his tremendous success.

“Today his election to the IAAF Commission stirs similar emotions of togetherness and unity as all of us are proud of his continued exhibition of excellence and perseverance at the highest International level.”

Up for a challenge

The IAAF was established in 1912 to set standards for competitive athletics globally.

Collins, who took part in his first Olympic Games more than 20 years ago, received more nominations to the position that any of the other candidates.

In 2000, Collins made it to the Olympic finals at a time when St Kitts and Nevis was considered too small to produce an elite athlete – and that someone with such a small frame would struggle to be competitive.

Two years later he became the 100m champion at the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester, England, breaking the 10-second barrier.

Despite missing the London Olympics in 2012, Collins has represented the federation at six summer Games and nine IAAF World Championships.

In 2016, He became the first man aged 40 or over to run 100m in under 10 seconds.