Cool Runnings and Beyond: The Story of the Jamaica Bobsleigh Team

by Chris Stokes

Applying the vivid metaphor of "Fire on Ice", author Nelson "Chris" Stokes begins his account of the Jamaica Bobsleigh Team, citing its spectacular crash at the 1988 Calgary Olympics to its triumphs across world competition. Once a novelty portrayed in the motion picture Cool Runnings, the team has become a phenomenon, quite unlike any other sporting enterprise, prompting journalists and sports historians to rave about its indomitable spirit, its uncanny survival, its crowd-pleasing collective personae. All this is recorded in Cool Runnings and The Story of the Jamaica Bobsleigh Team where team member Stokes describes how, once kindled, this little flame called Jamaica Bobsleigh refused to sputter, but flared like its Olympic counterpart. First dismissed as a gimmick when it burst on the scene at the Calgary Games, Jamaica Bobsleigh began to truly compete, and the world began taking measure. These islanders from the tropics proved they could race on ice and if given enough practice, funds, and support, they might become medal contenders. Now president of the Jamaica Bobsleigh Federation, Chris Stokes provides two narratives from his experience as an Olympian and a member of the world bobsleighing community. One details the personalities, those grinding training regimens, and the raw hopes and fears, disasters and determination found behind the familiar media images. Drawing from his experience within the fluid and dynamic demands of marketing Jamaica Bobsleigh, Chris also provides lessons for fundraising, building a vibrant and visionary business, and for those who would seek personal growth in context of teamwork.

332 pages, Paperback

First published December 21, 2002

Reviews

[Simon · Rating 2 out of 5]

The ‘joke’ of the Jamaican Bobsleigh program is a charming hook; one wants to learn more about the underdog team from a tropical nation vying for high rank on the world stage. Those unfamiliar with the Jamaican teams’ rankings from 1988-2002 will learn that Cool Runnings and Beyond is not a success story, however. While Nelson Stokes offers a sobering account of the grit involved to keep the program afloat, the story of repeated failures is more tiring than endearing. The final chapters, which contain a barrage of cliché adages on perseverance and determination, only rob the story of professional credence. Beyond this, the publication suffers from poor editing and - surprisingly - a lack of an overview of the bobsled event in general.

[Agatha · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was hoping for a story about how the Jamaica bobsleigh team surfaced and their Olympic experience. The book did have some of my expectations’ components. However, it strayed many times, especially at the tail end. Chris Stokes seemed to have gotten distracted from the outline of the story. I was especially annoyed at the last 3rd of the book where I felt like Stokes was promoting himself as a hire me motivational speaker. I do not recommend this book.

[Marilyn Sue Michel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Confusing writing with sudden breaks. It would be best to review the characters involved or the photos at the back so you can understand the story. Stokes has been through a lot and continues to promote himself and the sport. Rest assured, every question is answered with a Bob Marley song.