Crashing Start Two American businessmen, George Fitch, the first President of the Jamaica Bobsleigh Federation and businessman William Maloney, who at the time both lived in Jamaica, formed the JBF. These opportunistic and enterprising young men latched on to a novel idea one night in Kingston. Having seen the local pushcart derby and noting its similarity with bobsledding, and recognizing the abundance of athletic talent in Jamaica, both gentlemen concluded what was not so obvious, that Jamaica and bobsledding was a natural fit. Supported by Mr. Michael Fennel, President of the Jamaica Olympic Association, the two gentlemen proceeded to but in place the elements of a dream that was destined to become a legend. The first challenge was to recruit athletes for the program. Despite the appeal of the opportunity to compete in the Olympic games, this challenge proved formidable. |
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The Wilderness Years 
(Jamaica I, Dudley Stokes and Chris Stokes in action at the 1992 Olympic Winter Games in the 2-man event)
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In 1993 the Federation embarked on a serious long- term venture for continued growth and development. Maj. Leo Campbell was appointed president of the JBF and brought his considerable intellect, organizational skills and work ethic to bear on organizing the affairs of the JBF. The single most important decision made during this period was the retention of Sam Bock as national coach. Time was short; the Olympics were weeks away and much work had to be done. Bock’s focused; no-nonsense, intransigent style fit the times well. There was no time to debate. It was the coaches way or no way. The Olympic effort gained a tremendous boost with the addition of Wayne Thomas and Winston Watt to the roster of athletes. Both were, in short order, to prove themselves among the best pushers in the world.
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Having come so far against the odds, the only thing that remained a motivator was the quest for an Olympic medal. This goal could now be discussed in realistic terms. Sam Bock remained on as national coach and devised an elaborate development program to bring the team into medal contention by the 1998 Nagano games. Things seemed to progress and then fall behind. By early 1997 team morale was at an all time low and relationships were strained. The dream was quickly slipping from grasp. In that year,
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(Dudley Stokes)
The 1997-98 season marked the tenth season of Jamaica’s participation in the sport of bobsleigh. During that time, years of struggle and disappointment were rewarded with moments of triumph. Perhaps no single event signalled the triumph of Jamaica Bobsleigh more than Jamaica’s hosting and staging in 1999 of the FIBT’s annual congress, the highest law making body of the sport. The circle had been closed. Between the end of 1998 and mid 1999, Chris Stokes, Dudley Stokes, and Devon Harris, the last three remaining active athletes from the 1988 team retired from international competition. An era had ended. More than any other, the retirement of Dudley Stokes created a vacuum. For ten years he was the face, the voice, and the inspiration behind the Jamaica Bobsleigh story. Chris Stokes was re-elected president of the Jamaica Bobsleigh Federation in 1998 and immediately implemented a program to invest in the future of Jamaica Bobsleigh.
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Team Story
