Ready to dominate - Russell: We are in excellent shape

Jamaica's female bobsled competitor Carrie Russell says that the women's team is in excellent shape ahead of competition at the Winter Olympics now under way in Pyeonchang, South Korea.

Russell and co-competitors Audra Segree and Jazmine Fenlator-Victorian are set to bow into action at the Games on February 21. It will mark the first time a women's team will be representing the nation at the Winter Olympics, and the feat comes 30 years after Jamaica's first overall experience at the Calgary Games in 1988.

The 2013 IAAF World Championships sprint relay gold medallist said that they have worked very hard in their build-up to the Games and she is confident that they will put on a good show.

"We had an excellent one-week training camp in Germany, and you will see a lot of improvement in my start. Audra (Segree) has changed a lot as well, and so, I think we are where we should be overall," said Russell.

"We are confident going into the Games, but I won't place any pressure on myself to say what medal we are going to get, but I am more open to saying that we are going to be very competitive, and I think we are going to dominate," Russell said.

She added that they had settled in well since their arrival in Pyeonchang over a week ago.

EVERYTHING GREAT

"So far, everything is great. The facilities, training, and meals are great," said Russell. "We are working very hard as a team. We are here to have fun, and that is where you get great results," said the 26-year-old Russell.

Russell, who is a former St Thomas Technical and Queen's School track star, also won a bronze medal in the 100 metres at the World Junior Championships in Beijing, China, in 2006.

She added that it is great achievement for her to be representing the country at this year's Winter Olympics Games.

"I must say, it is an honour to represent my country at these Olympics Games. It has always been my dream to be an Olympian, either Winter or Summer, and it so happens the Winter Olympics is my first," she said.

Meanwhile, Jamaica's lone male at the Games, the United States-based Anthony Watson, will represent the country for the first time in the skeleton event. He is scheduled to be in action on Wednesday.