For the first time in 24 years, a bobsleigh team will represent Jamaica at the Beijing Olympics. A feat that is reminiscent of the movie “Rasta Rocket”.
They will not be able to escape the comparison!
The Jamaican men’s four-man bobsled team has qualified for the Beijing Winter Olympics. This is the first time since 1998 and the edition of Nagano that a crew representing Jamaica has taken part in the competition.
An exceptional qualification that inevitably evokes the memory of the legendary film “Rasta Rocket” (“Cool Runnings” in original version), released in 1993 and freely inspired by the incredible adventure of the Jamaican bobsledders during the Calgary Olympics in 1988, in Canada.
Photo credit: @TeamJA876
Jamaica qualifies for Beijing Olympics bobsleigh event, reviving memories of ‘Rasta Rocket’
Ashley Watson, one of the members of the quartet, announced the good news on Monday.
« Honestly, I can’t believe I’m saying that! I will represent Jamaica at the Winter Olympics in Beijing. A childhood dream come true. I gave up on that dream a few years ago, even though I knew that the elite athlete in me was not yet dead and had unfinished business. I put blood, sweat and tears into this project and it paid off! The best day of my sports career! “, can we read on the Facebook account of the Jamaican.
And as good news never comes alone, Jamaica also managed to qualify for the two-man bobsleigh and women’s one-piece bobsleigh events. There will therefore be 3 Jamaican teams at the Olympics, a great first!
The “heirs” of Derice Bannock, Irving Blitzer, Yul Brenner and Sanka Coffie will no doubt want to fly Jamaica’s colors high.
Photo credit: @TeamJA876
