On this day, thirty years ago, the Bobsleigh qualifications opened at Canada Olympic Park at the Calgary Olympics. Amongst the nations represented in the event, Jamaica was a sensastion. With less than a year of training -even less so with an actual bobsleigh- Dudley Stokes, Devon Harris, Micheal White and Chris Stokes (Dudley’s brother, who only came to support him, but was added to the team after Casewell Allen was injured) impressed with their quick start. But in the third run, they wiped out. As they pushed the sleigh to the end of the course, they were cheered on and applauded by spectators (I dare you to watch this and not cry), and that’s what I love about the Olympics. The Olympic spirit. The beauty of sport is not only in the performance, and the medalling, and the podiums. First and foremost, it’s about pushing yourself, that transcendence. “L’important,” as Baron de Coubertin said, “c’est de participer.” And I wish we did not forget that.
The Calagary Olympics were also made famous by Eddie ‘The Eagle’ Edwards finishing dead last in ski jumping. There’s a reason why both the Jamaican Team and Eddie are the Olympians who inspired great movies (Cool Runnings, and Eddie The Eagle, obviously.) Not every Olympian can be a champion, but I imagine there is no greater honor than representing your nation in the greatest sports competition on Earth, and we should celebrate each and every athlete who does “in the spirit of true sportsmanship, for the glory of sport and the honor of our teams,” no matter where they finish.
