London 2012 Olympics: Sprinter Kim Collins sent home after meeting wife

Published on 05/08/2012 00:00

A TOP sprinter was on his way home last night after the St Kitts and Nevis Olympic federation pulled him out of the 2012 Games as punishment for visiting his wife at a hotel.

Kim Collins, 36, had won the World Championship 100 metres title in 2003 and is perhaps his team’s greatest athlete. But yesterday he was notable only by his absence from the seventh heat of the short sprint in London.

A furious Collins said he would never again run for his country, a two-island state in the Caribbean archipelago of the Leeward Islands, and complained he had been shown a lack of respect.

“I could be wrong but I don’t see why it should be such a problem,” Collins said. “I would have better luck if I went out with some chick and came back. I honestly don’t see what is the big deal. I’m a grown man with kids, about to have grandkids.”

Collins will not be kicking his heels in London waiting for the 200m and sprint relay, having had the chance to race in the 100m taken from him. “I’m about to go and change my flight and go home and see my kids who I haven’t seen for a while,” he said yesterday.

The opening ceremony flag-bearer for his country was apparently expected by his national federation not to leave the Olympic Village.

“I can’t stay here,” he added. “I did not come to London to watch the 100m final on TV.”