Jamaica’s Bobsleigh Team Looks Ahead After Beijing Olympic Effort

By Kimberly

Mykro Wave Broadcast Center

Updated

Jamaica’s bobsleigh team concluded the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics without podium finishes, yet the athletes viewed their participation as a vital step toward expanding the country’s winter sports program. Pilot Shanwayne Stephens emphasized that the mission was less about immediate results and more about demonstrating what determination and persistence can accomplish.

The men’s team placed 30th in the two-man bobsleigh and 28th in the four-man, marking Jamaica’s continuing presence in a sport they first entered in 1988. Despite significant preparation challenges—including limited access to training facilities during the pandemic—the athletes remained committed to reaching the Games. Their training included improvisational methods, such as pushing a Mini Cooper through local neighborhoods for resistance training.

Athletes came from various sporting backgrounds, including track and field, rugby, and strength sports. Rolando Reid resigned from his teaching job to pursue Olympic qualification, while Ashley Watson paused his physiotherapy business. Stephens believes that with more structured funding and long-term planning, the team can significantly improve over the next four years.

The women’s side was represented by Jazmine Fenlator-Victorian, who finished 19th in the monobob and concluded her Olympic career after three Winter Games.

Jamaica’s team leaves Beijing with valuable experience and renewed optimism, focusing on building a stronger and more competitive program for the next Olympic cycle.

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