December 16, 2008 | Tips from Us >
Pemberton, Car / Truck / Motorcycle
View a larger image on flickr.com
So there I was at Vancouver's International Airport, waiting to pick up my mum, who was arriving from Toronto, when I heard this come over the tannoy: "Would those people joining the Jamaican Bob Sledding Team event, please make your way over to carousel number 6". I thought, huh? Are you serious, the Jamaican Bob Sled team? They've had a film (Cool Runnings) made out of their story!" In fact, it's a really interesting tale - a bunch of guys in Jamaica decide they're going to form a bob sledding team, get recognized and compete at the 1988 WINTER Olympics. And they did! It's was a ridiulousy feel-good story, so of course, I couldn't pass up a chance to officially welcome the team to BC!
I dispatched my husband to pick up my mum (it was a toss-up, collect my mother or go see athletic Jamaicans who normally wear lycra), while I wandered over to Carousel 6 to investigate. There, a motley crew of reporters, film crews, fans and representatives from Pemberton (a community near Whistler) were gathered. Pemberton and the Copper Dome Lodge there are hosting the team as part of their 2009-2010 North American Training Camp.
Soon enough the athletes arrived - and we waved Jamaican and Canadian flags to welcome them. I've attached one quick mobile-phone pic of one of the team, sorry for the quality. The team were given Pemberton hats and beamed from ear to ear. Fans and team members alike seemd excited. It was a real reminder about the spirit and drive required to make it to the Olympic Winter Games, and I felt pretty excited to have chanced upon their arrival.
So if you're heading up to Pemberton over the next little while, be sure to keep your eye out for the team and cheer them on as they train!
Go Canada, of course, but go Jamaica, too!