Bobsledders ditch sled for car during lockdown

The qualification for the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing China is not until next year, but Jamaica's two-man bobsled team members Shanwayne Stephens and Nimroy Turgott are not letting the coronavirus pandemic interfere with their preparations.

With no ice to train on, the pair were seen on the streets of Peterborough in the UK pushing a small car as part of their training routine.

The unusual training method has gone viral with the British media covering the sessions, and while it has caught the eyes of many, president of the Jamaica Bobsleigh Association, Christian Stokes, says those sorts of training methods are not unusual.

"We have a long history of making do with what we have. When I was at university and having to train to push a bobsleigh in between classes, I would push my car. Dudley Stokes would also find innovative ways to get in some practice, as he would sometimes push a shopping cart with his son in it as part of his Olympic training," said Stokes.

Desired results

Stokes undoubtedly had high praises for the efforts both Stephens and Turgott are putting in, and it is only a matter of time before the team achieves the desired results they are looking for.

"What they have managed to do is simply outstanding. I am just overwhelmed with admiration and pride at what they are doing. This shows me that both Shanwayne and Nimroy are carrying the spirit of bobsleigh in Jamaica," added Stokes.

For driver Stephens, the aim is to continue the work, as they aim to qualify for the next Winter Olympics and better Jamaica's two-man 29th- place finish at the last winter games in Sochi 2014.

"We had to come up with our ways of replicating the sort of pushing we need to do in bobsledding amid the coronavirus pandemic, "said Stephens.

"We do get some funny looks. We've had people run over, thinking the car's broken down, trying to help us bump-start the car. When we tell them we're the Jamaica bobsleigh team, the direction is different, and they're very excited."