Olympics: Jamaican bobsleigh team proud to add to ‘Cool Runnings’ legacy
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Olympics: Jamaican bobsleigh team proud to add to ‘Cool Runnings’ legacy
Ryland James,
Agence France-Presse
Published Feb 11, 2022 04:26 AM PHT

Jamaica's bobsleigh crew at the Beijing Olympics say it's an honor to carry on the legacy of the pioneers who represented the Caribbean island at the 1988 Games as told in the movie "Cool Runnings".
Jamaica's bobsleigh crew at the Beijing Olympics say it's an honor to carry on the legacy of the pioneers who represented the Caribbean island at the 1988 Games as told in the movie "Cool Runnings".
The story of how the original 4-man Jamaican crew defied the odds to race at the Calgary Games was immortalized by the 1993 film.
The story of how the original 4-man Jamaican crew defied the odds to race at the Calgary Games was immortalized by the 1993 film.
For the first time since the 1988 Games, Jamaica will have a 4-man crew racing at the Winter Olympics, piloted by Shanwayne Stephens.
For the first time since the 1988 Games, Jamaica will have a 4-man crew racing at the Winter Olympics, piloted by Shanwayne Stephens.
First though, Jamaica are taking part in the 2-man bob.
First though, Jamaica are taking part in the 2-man bob.
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"They inspired us and we will inspire the next generation," said brakeman Ashley Watson after he and Stephens finished in a best position of 24th in training Thursday.
"They inspired us and we will inspire the next generation," said brakeman Ashley Watson after he and Stephens finished in a best position of 24th in training Thursday.
Jazmine Fenlator-Victorian will also race in the women's monobob, a sport which makes its Olympic debut on Sunday.
Jazmine Fenlator-Victorian will also race in the women's monobob, a sport which makes its Olympic debut on Sunday.
Hailing from the tropical West Indies, the Jamaicans are underdogs on the World Cup circuit.
Hailing from the tropical West Indies, the Jamaicans are underdogs on the World Cup circuit.
Stephens admits they are especially under-prepared to race at the Olympic facility in Yanqing, north of Beijing.
Stephens admits they are especially under-prepared to race at the Olympic facility in Yanqing, north of Beijing.
"That was only our 5th and 6th time on the track as we missed the test event in October," he explained.
"That was only our 5th and 6th time on the track as we missed the test event in October," he explained.
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"We have another 4 training runs, then we go into a race. It's just one of the challenges of being a smaller nation.
"We have another 4 training runs, then we go into a race. It's just one of the challenges of being a smaller nation.
"We don't have the funding to travel out to do the test event, a full season and come to the Games."
"We don't have the funding to travel out to do the test event, a full season and come to the Games."
The 31-year-old is based in Peterborough in England after his family moved there from Jamaica in 2002.
The 31-year-old is based in Peterborough in England after his family moved there from Jamaica in 2002.
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit Europe in 2020, Stephens reacted to the closing of gyms by lifting home-made concrete weights and pushing his girlfriend's Mini around a car park.
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit Europe in 2020, Stephens reacted to the closing of gyms by lifting home-made concrete weights and pushing his girlfriend's Mini around a car park.
"We can say everything we did helped us qualify for the Games. If we'd sat back, we probably wouldn't have made it, so we can be pride of ourselves," he added.
"We can say everything we did helped us qualify for the Games. If we'd sat back, we probably wouldn't have made it, so we can be pride of ourselves," he added.
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"We're such a young crew. To be able to qualify for the Games having only met for the first time in September is an absolutely fantastic achievement."
"We're such a young crew. To be able to qualify for the Games having only met for the first time in September is an absolutely fantastic achievement."
As a sniper in Britain's Royal Air Force, he says the "accuracy, precision and organization" he learned in his day job helps pilot Jamaica's bob.
As a sniper in Britain's Royal Air Force, he says the "accuracy, precision and organization" he learned in his day job helps pilot Jamaica's bob.
"The guys will tell you I am a bit obsessive sometimes, wanting certain things done a certain way," he laughs.
"The guys will tell you I am a bit obsessive sometimes, wanting certain things done a certain way," he laughs.
The Jamaicans accept their chances of getting near the medals are low.
The Jamaicans accept their chances of getting near the medals are low.
Stephens says "4 solid runs would be a great stepping-stone moving forward" when the 2-man heats begin Monday and the 4-man races start the following weekend.
Stephens says "4 solid runs would be a great stepping-stone moving forward" when the 2-man heats begin Monday and the 4-man races start the following weekend.
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The Jamaicans bring a sense of fun to the Winter Games, as witnessed when Stephens' team danced their way into the opening ceremony.
The Jamaicans bring a sense of fun to the Winter Games, as witnessed when Stephens' team danced their way into the opening ceremony.
"We try to drag people in when we have dance-offs," he said.
"We try to drag people in when we have dance-offs," he said.
Their playful nature wins fans. We have had messages from all over the world, not just Jamaica," he added.
Their playful nature wins fans. We have had messages from all over the world, not just Jamaica," he added.
"People say they will cheer for us, as well as their own countries.
"People say they will cheer for us, as well as their own countries.
"The love is real and we can't wait to do Jamaica — and every 'Cool Runnings' fan — proud."
"The love is real and we can't wait to do Jamaica — and every 'Cool Runnings' fan — proud."
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