Photo credit: the International Bobsleigh & Skeleton Federation
Sandals Resorts International is sponsoring the 2022 Olympics Jamaica Bobsleigh Team, as it gears up to compete this month.
It is the first Jamaica team in 24 years, with Sandals Resorts also sponsoring the qualifying team in 1998.
"Sandals has always been a champion for our national athletes. The story of Jamaican bobsleighing is simply incredible, and we are along for the long ride, cheering on this extraordinary team." said Sandals Resorts Executive Chairman Adam Stewart.
Sandals Resorts has been a long supporter of athletes in training in Jamaica and across the Caribbean, through the work of the Sandals Foundation – the philanthropic arm of Sandals Resorts.
Sandals’ support of the 2022 Jamaica Bobsleigh Team will cover logistics and travel costs required to send qualifying athletes to Beijing, as well as the additional bobsleigh events leading up to the 2023 world championship event.
The team consists of pilot Shanwayne Stephens, push athletes Matthew Wepke and Rolando Reid, and brakemen Ashley Watson and Nimroy Turgott. Jazmine Fenlator-Victorian is also representing Team Jamaica this year in a new women’s monobob event.
The team is led by team manager, Nelson Christian "Chris" Stokes, who has been an active member of the Jamaica Bobsleigh Team since its inception in 1988 and was part of the Olympic team who inspired the ever-popular 1993 film, Cool Runnings.
Stokes also serves as President and Chairman of the Jamaica Bobsleigh Federation.
"Our return to the world stage is an incredible win in itself, and now Sandals Resorts has carried us over the finish line, allowing our team to put their focus on what they do best: bringing the Caribbean heat," said Stokes."
Upon their return to Jamaica, Stokes and the athletes will join forces with the Sandals Foundation to plan a number of long-term initiatives, geared towards grooming the next generation of athletes.
These will include visits to local schools to host motivational speaking engagements, organising athletic training clinics, nutrition workshops with resort chefs, and more.
Guests at Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts can also look forward to special ‘meet and greets’ with Bobsleigh team members.
