SOCHI OLYMPICS 2014 VIDEO: The World Prepares for Competition
Ironically enough, when we think about the sport of bobsledding, the first country that comes to mind is Jamaica. Known for its sandy beaches, cold drinks and white sand, the Caribbean country is the last place you’d expect to find snow, yet this winter, the underdog team will compete at the Sochi Games.
It’s a dream that’s been 12 years in the making, as the team has not competed at the Winter Olympics since 2002 (pictured above) when the games were held in Salt Lake City. The team officially qualified for the two-man bobsled event earlier this week – but due to the cost, it was beginning to look like the Jamaican team might have to watch it on TV like everyone else. That is, until their fans stepped up.
The 1993 film “Cool Runnings” put Jamaica and its bobsled team on the map and with it brought an underdog story similar to that of “Rocky” or “Rudy,” not to mention a ton of fans. So, when it became apparent that the team might not be able to afford their trip to Sochi, fans showed their support. The support came via the internet, through Crowdtilt.com and other campaigns, raising over $125,000, exceeding their target goal of $100,000. The campaign has since stopped collecting.
While the Jamaican Bobsleigh Federation is paying for travel, the team asked the public for extra funds to cover their training and upgrade equipment. The money will be wired directly and go toward the cost of shipping their sled and upgrading the runners-round, beveled blades that help send the bobsled down the icy track. It’s a much-needed upgrade for the bobsled team.
“It’s so overwhelming that we have so many fans out there,’’ team member Winston Watts, 47, told TODAY.com. “This shows us that people still love the Jamaican bobsled team.”
Ed Miller is a contributor for CraveOnline Sports. You can follow him on Twitter @PhillyEdMiller or “like” CraveOnline Sports on Facebook.
Photo Credit: Getty
