BY BRIAN BONITTO
Associate Editor —
AMERICAN actor Leon Robinson is throwing his support behind Jamaica’s bobsled team at its quest for a medal in the Winter Olympics scheduled for Pyeongchang, South Korea, from February 9 — 25.
Robinson — who is currently filming in Ghana, West Africa — is one of the stars of the 1993 Hollywood hit film Cool Runnings. He took to social media to convey his best wishes.
“I want to let you to know 25 years ago, I was proud and blessed to be a star of Cool Runnings, inspired by the Jamaican bobsled team. This year I’m in support of the bobsled team for the quest for a medal in the Winter Olympics in South Korea. And it’s gonna be history all over again because this year we have two female bobsledders for the first time… Feel the rhythm, feel the ride, you done know it’s bobsled time. Jamaica’s bobsled team, do your thing!” he said.
Jamaica will be fielding a two-woman bobsled team comprising pilot Jazmine Fenlator-Victorian and brakewoman Carrie Russell. The men’s team is currently ranked 31st on the Olympic qualification list, one spot out of contention. If any teams forego their selection, Jamaica would be next in line to make its seventh appearance in the men’s two-man event.
Thirty years ago Jamaica created history when its male team qualified for the Winter Olympics in Calgary, Canada. The feat inspired the film Cool Runnings, which had a budget of US$14 million, but made a whopping US$154.9 million at the box office. Directed by Jon Turteltaub, Cool Runnings stars John Candy, Doug E Doug, Rawle D Lewis, and Malik Yoba.
The film chronicles four Jamaican bobsledders’ dream of competing in the Winter Olympics, despite never having seen snow. With the help of a disgraced former champion desperate to redeem himself, the Jamaicans set out to become worthy of Olympic selection, and go all out for glory.
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