Sport
With funding woes behind them, Jamaican bobsled team promise stiff competition in Sochi
Brakesman Marvin Dixon is the second member of the two-man bobsled team.
Since confirmation of their participation came on Monday, the Jamaicans are busy trying to raise an additional US$80,000 to US$100,000 to fund their final preparations for Sochi.
Stokes said financial woes may not have vanished altogether but had eased at least.
“We were able to raise over US$120,000 via a crowd-funding site, which meets the immediate need. So we’re grateful for that, as it puts us in very good position to get the team prepared for the Sochi Games.”
Stokes said the federation was still accepting donations and negotiating with sponsors but as far as Sochi preparations were concerned, “the worst is behind us.”
It also helped that the Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA) agreed to offset the Sochi contingent’s travel expenses.
“There is no question in my mind the team would not have qualified but for the help of the Jamaica Olympic Association,” said Stoke, who will be the chef-de-mission of the contingent also including crew member Wayne Blackwood and coach Thomas Samuel.
