Kim Collins (in yellow) of St Kitts and Nevis poses for a picture with Aspire Academy athletes in Doha yesterday. The 2003 World Champion in 100m gave advice to the students during his tour at Aspire Academy.
BY RIZWAN REHMAT
DOHA: Former 100m World Champion Kim Collins has urged Aspire Academy youngsters to make the most of their opportunities, saying the world’s biggest indoor facility offered the best services to budding athletes.
The 37-year-old from the Island of St Kitts and Nevis, yesterday showed a bunch of 40 Aspire Academy athletes ways of maintaining a good sprint and then reminded the teenagers what it meant to train with dedication.
“You are training at an amazing place. You have everything you need. You are already ahead of others,” Collins told a young group of athletes attired in Aspire Academy colours.
“You don’t see this (top-notch facility) anywhere. You have a major advantage over kids your age. It is up to you. You got to love what you do. I have been around for so long I know what I am saying. I tried my hand at so many different beats (in athletics),” Collins added.
“What I want is one of you to become a World Champion. You can do it,” he said.
The 5’ 8” tall athlete was overwhelmed with his maiden appearance at the Aspire Academy.
“From what I understand they have good facilities in terms of medical and track,” Collins said.
“They seem to have good coaches. They (the young athletes) have everything they need. It is a matter of ‘do they want it?’ and if they love what they are doing then that would make all the difference,” he added.
Excerpts from a chat with Kim Collins:
Question: Do you have any plans to retire?
Kim Collins: I have been thinking about it (laughs). I have to find a job that suits me. But for the time being, I would like to keep going. Every time I wanted to stop, success would come.
Q: Success doesn’t come by chance. One has to work hard for it, right?
KC: It is hard work but it is not as hard as some people make it out to be. You just have to understand what you are trying to achieve. It is something you have to be honest about. For me, honesty makes thing easier to get the goals you want to achieve.
Q: What’s your message to the youngsters?
KC: Well, I was trying to tell them that they have the advantage. They shouldn’t think they can’t be (World) Champions. You just got to have them understand that. They have what most of the world doesn’t have. They are already at an advantage.
Q: Only good facilities make the difference to these kids?
KC: From what I understand they have good facilities in terms of medical and the track. They seem to have good coaches. They have everything they need. It is a matter of ‘do they want it?’ and if they love what they are doing then that would make all the difference.
Q: Are you happy with your career so far?
KC: Yes, I am very happy with what I have achieved. It has been an amazing journey. To win medals at my age is still an amazing thing.
Q: Were you surprised to pick up (two bronze) medals at the 2011 Daegu World Championshhips?
KC: I was surprised. I can’t say that I wasn’t (surprised). It is something that I didn’t expect.
Q: Do you have any regrets of not getting the chance to finish your stint at the London Olympic Games (he was fired by his NOC)?
KC: Of course. It was a ridiculous decision. My people will never admit they were wrong. Looking back at it, of course you would regret it. If you could go back, you would like to change it. But you still got to look forward, to see how we can bounce back from that to make it worthwhile again.
Q: But looking back at that incident, don’t you think you should have known that you are not supposed to break team rules at the Games?
KC: I really didn’t see that coming. I didn’t know they (the officials) would be so harsh.
Q: Your son is 15 years-old. Is he also into track and field?
KC: He’s into fast cars (laughs). But he’s not into track and field like I am.
Q: How do you see your chances in Doha?
KC: Very good. I have been training well. I have been able to get a lot stronger. We have been working on new techniques. I believe we are going to surprise people once more. I think I actually have a chance of winning.
Q: Would you like to tell us about one of your favourite moments of your career?
KC: (Laughs). You know there are so many different things that you remember. It could be anything. It could be winning a medal or feeling great at an event. Even having a great time at a certain championship would make you feel good. There are so many occasions to choose from.
Q: If a layman were to ask you how to drop the extra kilos on his body, what would you say? A: Well, diet and exercise should do it. People confuse diet with starving. You got to eat in right proportions. If you eat in the right proportion and exercise regulalrly, then you’d be surprised how well you can do it.
Q: Do you think we could see you as a coach in your retirement days?
KC: Of course. I have been looking around for something like this. I haven’t been able to find the right thing. Once I do that, I will coach. I am trying to learn. I am coaching at home. I decided that two years ago. If given a chance, I would like to do this. I’d be very happy with that. I think I have the ability to be a good coach.
THE PENINSULA
