In 1988 Jamaica made its Olympic debut at the Winter Games in Calgary, Alberta, and for many reasons was one of the most influential debuts of all-time.
The team participated with a sled built by parts borrowed from various other teams, the inspiration behind the famous 1993 Disney film, Cool Runnings.
The country’s endeavour encouraged other warm-weather countries to enter the Winter Olympics.
Yesterday marked the official opening of the Sochi Winter Games, and after the two-man bobsled team arrived in Russia only to discover their sled’s blades, suits and helmets got lost in transit, members Winston Watts and Marvin Dixon are back on track.
From “Ochi” to Sochi! #JamaicaBobsled #Sochi2014 (photo via VMselle) pic.twitter.com/112LRxvtCx
— Jamaica Bobsled Team (@Jambobsled) February 7, 2014
Returning the event after a 12 year gap, it seems everyone is getting behind this duo.
“The people love us like crazy,” 46-year-old Watts said.
“This movie, Cool Runnings, really opened the way for a lot of different nations’ athletes. Every time they see the Jamaica bobsled team, they always sharing with us: ‘Hey, I just saw the Cool Runnings movie.’ It’s something the rest of the world, they cannot stop talk about.”
We love that film!
