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The Jamaican bobsleigh team hoping to top their famous predecessors
John Bevir in Bath, UK
Europe;UK
01:00

 

When it comes to famous stories from the Winter Olympics, there's one that is at the top of the list. Or should that be top of the run?

The exploits of Jamaica's first Olympic bobsleigh team was immortalized by the 1993 Disney film Cool Runnings.

After a 24-year gap, a four-man Jamaican crew has made it to the pinnacle of the sport once again.

 

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Matthew Wekpe has represented Jamaica at rugby sevens. His strength and explosive power caught the eye of the bobsleigh team and 13 months after first getting in a sled, he's about to compete at an Olympics.

Speaking to CGTN while the team trained at the University of Bath, England, Wekpe said he's hopeful, but realistic, about his chances of glory.

"We would love gold – who doesn't want gold? We've been working hard for it, we're aiming for the gold. The other thing to do would be the best Jamaican team that's ever been to the Olympics, which is 14th place. So if we can do that, or better, we'll be happy."

 

The Jamaican team in training at the University of Bath, UK. /CGTN

The Jamaican team in training at the University of Bath, UK. /CGTN

 

With budgets a fraction of those major countries operate with, just qualifying was seen as a big achievement by the coaching staff.

But three Jamaican teams will be competing for medals in the different bobsleigh disciplines. The fourth and final team missed out on Beijing by a single place.

What the Jamaicans lack in finances, they make up for in support. The team doesn't mind the constant references to Cool Runnings, but for Nimroy Turgott, born and bred in Jamaica, the film's global popularity came as something of a shock.

"In Jamaica, I don't think it has the popularity," he said. "Bobsleigh is not a popular sport in Jamaica, like track and field or football. But when you go outside Jamaica, the appreciation you get as a team is amazing."

Getting to Beijing is an even bigger achievement given the limited experience some of the Jamaican team have – the four-man crew only got in a bobsleigh together a few months ago.

The last-minute training will continue as these underdogs hope to pull off a major shock and win a new generation of fans.

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