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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Liam Llewellyn

Jamaica's bobsleigh team finish 30th out of 30 on first Winter Olympic appearance for 24 years

The Jamaican bobsleigh team finished last on their return to the Winter Olympics for the first time in 24 years.

The pair of Shanwayne Stephens and Nimroy Turgot wrote in another chapter in the island’s glittering Olympic history by competing in the two-man event.

Jamaica finished 30th and their first run saw them 2.21 seconds off the lead, while their second saw them a further 1.99 off the pace.

Despite the disappointing result, fans were delighted to see the black, green and gold on show at the Winter Games again.

“We showed up LOUD & PROUD at #Beijing2022,” one fan wrote on twitter.

The Jamaica bobsleigh team competed at the Winter Olympics for the first time in 24 years (REUTERS)

“Jamaica is away in the bobsled, Go Jam!,” another exclaimed with pride.

In reference to the popular Cool Runnings film, a third fan penned: “Go #Jamaica #CoolRunnings #Feel the rhythm! #Bobsleigh.”

The country’s bobsleigh federation, run by Chris Stokes, who was part of the squad that competed at the 1998 Games in Nagano, outlined the plan for the team moving forward.

"Our big plan for 2026 is to qualify for four events, two teams per event, and to have someone on the podium in 2030,” he explained.

Upon qualifying for Beijing, Stephens said: "It's an absolutely amazing feeling. It's something we've all achieved together as a team over the last four years.

"It means a lot to us, the sport and Jamaica as a whole. It's a testament to all the hard work of the athletes and coaching staff.

"The support from the RAF has been magnificent, they gave me the opportunity to go to my first trials and have given me the time to train. I want to thank them for that opportunity."

The four-man bobsled event is scheduled to commence tomorrow, where Stephens will represent the Caribbean island alongside Rolando Reid, Ashley Watson and Matthew Wekpe.

The pair of Shanwayne Stephens and Nimroy Turgott finished 30th in the two-man event (AFP via Getty Images)

Jamaica also qualified for the women's monobob bobsleigh event, which marks the first time ever that the country has sent three bobsled teams to an Olympics.

The island also made more history at the Winter Olympics, Benjamin Alexander became Jamaica's first ever alpine skier at the Winter Games.

After placing 54th on his first run of the giant slalom, the 38-year-old crossed the line 46th on his second attempt, while 41 of his competitors failed to finish the race.

Describing the run as "the hardest thing he has ever done", Alexander, who only began to ski seven years ago, was delighted with his remarkable accomplishment.

The Caribbean island also qualified for the also qualified for the four-man and women's monobob bobsleigh events (Getty Images)

"I've performed better than some of the best in the world, they crashed, and that's a fact," he said.

"There was no desire to try to come here and be competitive."

"You cannot catch up with someone who's been doing something for 20 years if you've just started doing it two years ago, that's race training," added Alexander.

"I'm just happy that we got over the line."

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