Jamaica Bobsleigh Aims for Olympic Gold

The Jamaican bobsleigh federation, under president Chris Stokes, has set a goal to win an Olympic medal by 2034, a dream inspired by the 1988 team's Olympic debut and the subsequent film 'Cool Runnings'. Stokes, who was part of the original team, aims to move beyond mere inspiration and achieve competitive success.

The federation's 'Back to the Well' program focuses on identifying and developing athletic talent within Jamaica. This initiative has attracted former track stars like Tyquendo Tracey and Ashanti Moore, alongside promising new talent such as pilot Shane Pitter.

Despite facing significant financial hurdles, including reliance on private sponsorship and using equipment from other nations, the team has achieved notable success. They have secured multiple gold medals in the North American Cup circuit this season.

Joel Fearon, a former British Olympic medallist, serves as a performance coach and pusher, contributing his expertise. He notes that while they have earned respect, some initial skepticism from other teams has been overcome through their performance.

Looking ahead, the team is preparing for the Milano-Cortina Olympics with Shane Pitter driving the sleds and Mica Moore competing in monobob. Their long-term vision includes overcoming the lack of dedicated training facilities in Jamaica and challenging established nations like Germany.