From Calgary to Cortina: Jamaica's Bobsleigh Journey Continues at Winter Olympics 2026
With temperatures rarely dipping below 20 degrees Celsius and no recorded snowfall in its history, Jamaica is far from a traditional winter sports nation. However, the Caribbean island has carved out a unique and proud legacy in bobsleigh, largely thanks to the iconic 1993 film Cool Runnings. This cinematic classic immortalized Jamaica's debut at the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary, where a dramatic crash did not deter the team's spirit. Now, as the Milan Cortina 2026 Games approach, Jamaica is set for its tenth Olympic appearance, fielding teams in the women's monobob, men's two-man, and men's four-man events, building on a foundation of resilience and inspiration.
Olympic Trailblazers and the Cool Runnings Effect
The first Jamaicans to compete in bobsleigh at the 1988 Olympics were the two-man duo of Dudley Stokes and Michael White, who finished 30th out of 41 teams. They were later joined by Devon Harris and Chris Stokes for the four-man competition, which ended in a dramatic crash during the third run, forcing a last-place finish. Despite this setback, the 1993 film Cool Runnings turned their story into a Hollywood hit, fostering global recognition and encouraging other warm-weather nations like Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Brazil to establish their own bobsleigh teams. This pioneering effort has cemented Jamaica's place in Olympic history, transforming a underdog narrative into a symbol of determination.
The 2026 Jamaican Bobsleigh Team: A Blend of Experience and Talent
At the Cortina Sliding Centre, Jamaica aims to surpass its best Olympic performance to date—a 14th-place finish by the two-man team at Lillehammer in 1994. The squad features former Team GB athlete Mica Moore in the women's monobob, who previously represented Wales in athletics and Great Britain in bobsleigh. The men's teams include Shane Pitter, Andrae Dacres, Junior Harris, Tyquendo Tracey, and Joel Fearon, with Fearon bringing Olympic bronze medal experience from Sochi 2014. However, the team faces challenges, including using cast-off sleighs from South Korea and the USA, and a lack of prior experience on the Cortina track for pilot Pitter, highlighting the resource disparities compared to European rivals.
Overcoming Adversity and Building for the Future
Joel Fearon has voiced frustrations about disrespect from some competitors, noting that despite his Olympic pedigree, the team is often underestimated. This adds motivation as Jamaica seeks to prove its worth on the global stage. Recent successes, such as winning the North American Cup in four-man bobsleigh in November 2025, show progress, but structural issues persist. Jamaica lacks proper training facilities and receives no financial support from the Jamaica Olympic Association, relying instead on sponsorships and fundraising. The Jamaica Bobsleigh Federation's 'Back to the Well' program aims to tap into the island's rich sprinting talent—like national champions Tyquendo Tracey and Ashanti Moore—to enhance bobsleigh performance, particularly in the crucial push-start phase.
Sliding Toward Olympic Glory
Looking ahead, Jamaica is committed to an ambitious goal of winning an Olympic medal by the 2034 Games. While immediate challenges in Cortina include equipment limitations and track unfamiliarity, the team's spirit remains unbroken. Regardless of outcomes in Italy, Jamaica's bobsleigh legacy, fueled by the Cool Runnings story and a new generation of athletes, continues to inspire and push boundaries in winter sports. The journey from Calgary to Cortina underscores a relentless pursuit of excellence, proving that even without snow, passion and perseverance can slide a nation onto the Olympic stage.
