Jamaican Bobsled Team Crash

It was an amateur bobsled team that went to the 1988 Winter Olympics that was held in Calgary, Alberta. Their first attempt at the games brought them much stardom as the Jamaican bobsled team crash created a spectacular and inspiration moment for the fans.

It seems as if everything went wrong for this four man team from the start, while they were making their first run. The sled was worn and the push bar collapsed when Dudley Stokes who was the driver was going downhill at full speed; how he made it to the sled was even a notable act.

The second run was faced with difficulty also as this time Michael White was having problems sitting and was positioned erect well into making the first turn. However, after the two first runs the competition ended on that first day. The fans enjoyed the performance while the media was having fun, but the team had made it to the bottom after going to the top.

On the second day of the competition, the team was now in different frame of mind as they had spent much of the night reflecting on how they could improve their performance.

What was very obvious to the team was that they needed more than theory and it was now time to excel under pressure. The day was sunny and bright and the four man team went on the track more energetic and focused. This optimism was however short lived as Dudley Stokes who was the driver fell while walking up the track.

But he was determined to proceed so they applied cold spray to his left shoulder which was immobilized. They reached the starting line only to find out that their national coach had deserted them at the games.

This further adds pressure to this determined team and as they faced the millions of people on that morning it was a lonely time for them. But they were strong and proud Jamaicans and it took only seconds for them to decide and quickly they commit themselves to finish what they came to do.

It was as if they were driven by a force as in this inspired moment they had the seventh fastest time starting off that hill out of all the competitors. They were at such as a fast speed that Dudley Stokes coming out of a huge turn of 365 degrees, lose control of the sled on the track.

The bobsled was going approximately eighty-five miles per hour when it crashed, pinned the driver’s head to the inside wall. This created such an impact that you could hear it echoing around the world.

It was as if time stood still as the fans watch the images of the sled tilting onto its side. You could see the four helmets hard-pressed against the ice, which proved challenging for the Jamaican team to escape.

But the four young men emerged and when they left the Olympic Park in Canada that day they were heroes. This crash brought them instant fame and very soon they discovered that they were now celebrities.

The team members were not always glorified as they were faced with ridicules, embarrassment, contempt and jealousy; fame comes with a heavy price.

But as through survivors they were back at more Olympics with new confidence and focus. The Jamaican bobsled team crash will always be remembered and it had inspired not only the members to excel but also other persons all over the world.