Not Kim Collins.
As the 2015 season begins in earnest, the evergreen sprinter lines up against the world’s best on Friday night in Doha in the form of his life and keen to add the Diamond Trophy to the list of honours that he’s secured over a career spanning 18 years and counting.
“My goal is to try to win the Diamond Race, just like everyone else,” says the man from St Kitts. “It’s important to get in early and come here, get top three and collect the points and try your best to get into the other Diamond League meetings and continue to get points at them.”
Such a positive mindset has served the 2003 world 100m champion well over the years and he remains in confident mood as his first major race of the season approaches.
“Two years ago I was here and I opened up really well,” he recalls. “I ran 10.0 and I was 4th or 5th. It was a monster field and there’s another top field here again. You understand that it’s going to be a fast race. “
Collins has only one thing in mind: “I want to win it. If I didn’t feel that I could, then I wouldn’t be here. I want to target Beijing, but you have to do a lot of damage before that. You can’t just show up and win it. You have to be out here competing with the rest of the field. “
The prospect of competing in the Chinese capital is an interesting one, as Collins has been engaged in a protracted dispute with his federation which has seen him fail to race in any major championships since 2011 in Daegu.
Happily, an end to the stand-off is in sight.
“There’ve been many discussions and I’m confident that we’re going to get it sorted out so that I can go to Rio and also Beijing,” he reveals. “It’s been a long time now and it’s important to put everything in the past and move on. I’m very positive about it and I’m hoping that we can get it over with it. We just need to wait for the final word.”
The self-described “late bloomer” opened his outdoor season last week at an invitational event in Manchester (UK) and feels ready to take on the rest of the world, having clocked a modest 10.33.
“The time doesn’t make me look good,” Collins confesses. “But also I don’t think it was a clear reflection of where I’m at physically.”
“It wasn’t a fast race, so coming here I feel a lot more positive, a lot stronger and the weather is ideal for sprinting. I want to run faster – faster than the competition and faster than I’ve ever run before. I’ve been able to go 9.99, 9.98, 97, 96, so I guess 95 is coming! I’m definitely looking forward to doing that.”
With 2014 Diamond Race winner Justin Gatlin in the field alongside European Champion James Dasaolu and Jamaica’s Olympic gold medalist Nesta Carter, Collins knows victory will be difficult, but believes that he can rise to the occasion.
“Who’d have believed that an athlete my age would still be doing it? I had a great indoor season and I can still compete against the rest of the world. You can’t count yourself out or the opposition. While you’re still there, the opportunity exists.”
And as well as Diamond Race points available, there are fast times in prospect, whether it be this week or later in the season.
“Everyone has the potential to go under 10. If everyone has a good day, we’re going to see a really fast race. I see the race coming where 8 men go under 10. It’s going to happen soon.”
It all starts in Doha.
Dean Hardman for the IAAF Diamond League
