American boosts cash-strapped J'cans bobsledders

Saturday, November 21, 2009 3:23 PM

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Wednesday, November 04, 2009

Todd Hays is trying to get himself to the Vancouver Olympics.

Jamaica's two-man bobsled team brakeman Marvin Dixon (left), jumps into their rented sled as Hannukkah Wallace pilots during the FIBT International training week at the Whistler Sliding Centre in Whistler, British Columbia, on Monday. The venue will host bobsled, luge and skeleton events during the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games. (Photo: AP)

And he might take the Jamaican bobsled team along for the ride.

Hays, a long-time standout driver for the US bobsled team, has agreed to lend some equipment to the cash-strapped Jamaican Bobsleigh Federation.

Jamaican officials said last Tuesday the equipment was expected to arrive in Whistler, British Columbia - where international teams are currently training on the Olympic track.

It's unclear if Hays is sending one or two sleds; he indicated last Monday that he agreed to lend one, and the Jamaican federation said last Tuesday they would soon be obtaining two. Either way, Jamaican federation official Stephen Samuels said the team was grateful for the help.

"It's just a matter of trying to get it up here," Hays said from Whistler, where the American contingent arrived the previous Sunday to begin a two-week camp. "We're working on logistics right now. It was kind of a last-minute thing, but we're trying to do that and see what happens for them. It was one of my first sleds."

The Jamaican bobsled team first got notoriety more than two decades ago, at the 1988 Calgary Olympics. The island nation has sent several teams to the Winter Games since, although funding has long been problematic.

Jamaica's bobsled driver, Hannukkah Wallace, and push athlete Marvin Dixon were in Lake Placid, New York for early season training last month, before moving their operation to Whistler. The Jamaican four-man team has not started formal training yet this season.

Until now, Wallace has been driving rented sleds.

"We need real equipment," Wallace said. "We need something, some help, from someone. Until then, we will not be able to show anyone what Jamaica is capable of."

That's where Hays, a silver medallist at the 2002 Salt Lake Games, comes in.

He's never formally worked with Wallace, but the Jamaican driver has shown some potential already, with a handful of strong showings at America's Cup races - one step below the World Cup series.
After hearing of the Jamaican team's plight, Hays' Olympic spirit kicked in.

"I'm kind of looking forward to him getting in it and seeing what happens," Hays said.

- AP

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