Jamaica’s return to the bobsled competition at the 2022 Winter Olympics in China has drawn inevitable comparisons with events 34 years ago.
The Jamaica bobsled team competed at the Games for the first time in nearly quarter of a century, finishing last in the two-man event.
Shanwayne Stephens and Nimroy Turgot wrote another exciting chapter in Jamaica’s unlikely Winter Olympic history that started in Calgary in 1988.
Devon Harris, Dudley Stokes, Michael White and Chris Stokes defied expectations in Canada to compete against the world’s best despite having limited experience in the sport.
The famously finished in front of a couple of other teams in their first two runs, before spectacularly crashing out of the competition on their third trip down the track.
However, they walked over the line together after the crash to demonstrate their Olympic spirit, and subsequently returned home to a hero’s welcome.
Ahead of the 2022 Games, Harris told Betway he had mixed emotions about the reception the team received when they arrived back in Jamaica.
He explained that the team were apprehensive about returning home as they feared that people would think they had let their country down.
The team’s worries proved to be unfounded, with the Jamaican public extremely proud of their efforts. Despite this, Harris felt the support was unwarranted.
Despite the difficulties presented by training for bobsled in a tropical climate, the team felt they should have been able to master the sport.
Although Harris and his teammates are conflicted about the backing they received, their efforts have clearly inspired subsequent generations to chase their Olympic dreams
While Stephens and Turgot were unable to finish ahead of any of their rivals in Beijing on this occasion, Jamaica is hoping to use their efforts as a springboard to success in the future.
Stokes, who now runs the country’s bobsled federation, has set a target of having four Jamaican teams competing in four years’ time and someone on the podium in 2030.
Given the massive difficulties in preparing for winter sports on a tropical island, Stokes’ aspirations may seem more than a little fanciful.
Harris begs to differ and has backed his former teammate to drive their country up the bobsled ladder if the program is given sufficient backing over the next few years.
His view is based on a sound footing, with Jamaica demonstrating their potential when competing on the North American Cup circuit in November.
Jamaica’s four-man team experienced an equipment malfunction during an event, with their ramshackle sled held together with duct tape.
Canada turned out to be unlikely saviours, loaning the Jamaican team a sled that originally cost around $100,000 to buy.
Boosted by their new ride, the Jamaicans finished a season-best fifth in their next race to secure a place at the Winter Olympics.
Harris believes that result demonstrated Jamaica’s medal potential and thinks Stokes will deliver on his lofty targets.
If that happens, don’t be surprised if a sports movie is made out of the feat.
