Jamaican Bobsled Team

The first Jamaican Bobsled team made history when it entered the sport in dramatic fashion in the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary, Alberta. The four-man team warmed the hearts of many fans and were immortalized in the Walt Disney movie, Cool Runnings. Other unlikely countries, such as Mexico, Trinidad and Tobago, and Netherlands Antilles later formed their own bobsled teams.

Related Topics:
Jamaica - Bobsled - 1988 Winter Olympics - Calgary, Alberta - Walt Disney - Cool Runnings - Mexico - Trinidad and Tobago - Netherlands Antilles

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On the creation of the team, Devon Harris, one of the original bobsledders, says:

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"The idea for the team was that of two Americans George Fitch and William Maloney who had business and family connections in Jamaica. They saw the pushcart derby and thought it looked like bobsledding except for the ice. Because the start is such an important part of the race and Jamaica had so many sprinters, they thought they would recruit some of the summer Olympic athletes but those guys weren't biting on the idea. They then came to the army and pitched the idea to Col Ken Barnes."http://www.jamaicans.com/articles/primeinterviews/interviewdevonharris.shtml

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The original four members were:

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• Devon Harris (had been a Lieutenant in the Second Battalion, Jamaican Army)
• Dudley Stokes (had been a captain from the JDF Air Wing)
• Michael White (had been a private in the National Reserves)
• Samuel Clayton (had been a railway engineer)

Although their first games were plagued by crashes and technical difficulties, the Jamaican team improved drastically by the 1992 Winter Olympics and came in 14th, ahead of teams from the United States, France, Russia, and Italy. Their two-man team beat the Swedish team and came in tenth place.

Related Topics:
1992 Winter Olympics - United States - France - Russia - Italy - Swedish

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The team has continued to improve, taking home various medals, including gold at the 2000 World Push Championships in Monte Carlo and placing first in 2-man sledding and 4-woman sledding at Olympic trials.

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As of 2002, the Jamaican team consists of Mark Hill, Lascelles Brown, Garnett Jones, Stewart Maxwell, Clive McDonald, Wayne Thomas, Dudley Stokes, and team captain Winston Watt. The women's team is Porscha Morgan, Winsome Cole, Taniesha LcLean and Dukelyn Barrett.

Related Topics:
Mark Hill - Lascelles Brown - Garnett Jones - Stewart Maxwell - Clive McDonald - Wayne Thomas - Dudley Stokes - Winston Watt - Porscha Morgan - Winsome Cole - Taniesha LcLean - Dukelyn Barrett

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The Jamaican Bobsled Team currently trains in Evanston, Wyoming. Their slogan is, appropriately enough, "the Hottest Thing on Ice".

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