Happy bobslegh team got funds for Sochi, but where was Corporate Jamaica?

By Kayon Raynor

I was a bit disappointed last week to hear of the plight of Jamaica's two-man bobsleigh team, pleading for financial assistance, internationally, to continue preparations for the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia next month. 

This came as the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation on Monday confirmed that driver Winston Watts and brakesman Marvin Dixon made the final cut as one of thirty teams to the games. This is the sixth time that a Jamaican team has qualified for the Winter Olympics in the last 26 years, having first done so in 1988.

The Jamaica Olympic Association, which contributed to the team's qualifying bid,  was quick to note that it would also foot travel expenses for the five-man delegation to Sochi, while the IOC would take care of housing, ground transportation and meals for the team at the games.

Chris Stokes, one of the trail blazing members of the 1988 team to Calgary, Canada, was ecstatic by Wednesday, telling TVJ Sports they had received US$120,000 via fundraising on the internet.

Aside from the JOA, and a pledge from the government to assist, why has corporate Jamaica not assisted?

While I was disappointed that the team had to plead for help in the international arena, I'm pleased that the cash strapped bobsleigh federation got the required assistance.

As Stokes, the general secretary said, they will now be able to buy and upgrade their equipment in time for the start of the competition on February 16.