For the first time in 24 years, the Jamaican four-man bobsled team will compete in the Winter Olympics, in Beijing next month.
Based on this season’s international results, the men from Jamaica have clinched the final available berth and will compete in Beijing later this year.
For the first time since the Nagano Olympics in Japan in 1998, they will have a four-man team competing in the Olympics.
The news becomes much better for the Jamaicans, as they will compete in three distinct bobsleigh events for the first time.
They also have teams competing in the two-man and women’s monobob events.
Team Jamaica said in a tweet: “It will be fire on ice as #TeamJamaica secured their spot at the 2022 Beijing #WinterOlympics. This will be the 1st time JAM has qualified in 3 Olympic bobsled events: four-man, two-man and women’s monobob.”
The four-man team’s members have yet to be confirmed, although Shanwayne Stephens, Rolando Reid, Ashley Watson, and Matthew Wekpe are the most likely candidates. The team will most likely be led by Stephens.
Watson also announced on Facebook that he will be a member of the team at the Olympics.
“A childhood dream has come a reality.
“I gave up on this dream a few years back although I knew the elite athlete in me hasn’t died yet and had unfinished business.
“Blood, sweat and tears went into this and it has paid off! Best day of my sporting career!
“I was honoured to be selected to compete in 13 out of the 16 races this season and gave it all I had.”
He added that it was time to “stay focused” and “show what we are capable of doing on the biggest stage there is.”
He also played a little tribute to the famous film Cool Runnings by adding #luckyegg at the end.
‘Feel the rhythm! Feel the rhyme! Get on up, it’s bobsled time!’
