Grange optimistic about Winter Olympics medal

Sports minister Olivia Grange said she is confident of a podium finish for Jamaica in the bobsleigh competition at the Winter Olympic Games, which will take place in Pyeongchang, South Korea, from February 9 to 25.

"I feel that the girls will make the podium" was the minister's optimistic assessment after her videoconference on Sunday with Jazmine Fenlator-Victorian, Carrie Russell and Audra Segree, who are the first Jamaican women to qualify for the bobsleigh competition at the Games.

Jamaica's contingent in South Korea will be completed by Chris Stokes, president of the Jamaica Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation; Leo Campbell, chef de mission; and Dudley Stokes, team captain.

Grange said she was "confident that the team is ready". She congratulated the women on their historic achievement, saying that they had "already made a great impact" on the sport and that the entire Jamaica is supporting them.

Stokes told Grange that this is the "best-prepared" bobsleigh team to represent Jamaica.

FIRST SKELETON ENTRY

Grange also expressed confidence in Anthony Watson, who is due to become the first athlete to represent Jamaica in skeleton at the Winter Games. He received a late call-up to the competition after several countries declined places for the event.

Stokes hailed the video-conference with Minister Grange.

"In terms of getting the athletes mentally prepared to represent the country at the highest level and to understand what their achievement means in the context of our culture and our history, today's (Sunday's) sit-down and chat between the minister and the athletes was really invaluable," he said.