Winter Olympics 2018: Jamaica bobsleigh team PLUNGED INTO CHAOS ahead of debut

Sandra Kiriasis – who owns their sled and equipment – was asked to change roles from driving coach to track performances analyst. 

That would have meant the German – an Olympic bobsleigh champion in 2006 – being denied access to athletes Jazmine Fenlator-Victorian and Carrie Russell. 

The debutants are set to begin their official training runs on Saturday before the competition heats on Tuesday and Wednesday. 

Kiriasis said: “I have never known such disappointment in this sport, in my life.

“The athletes have told me they don’t understand why this has happened as they have no problem with me and we have a good relationship.”

Jamaica Bobsleigh expressed their disappointment as Kiriasis’ decision in a statement released to the press. 

It read: “Sandra Kiriasis has elected not to continue her position. 

“We are deeply disappointed in her decision to leave the programme.

“We thank her for her invaluable contribution and contributing to the success of Jamaica’s first female bobsled Olympic appearance.”

The team highlighted their medal credentials by securing a seventh-place finish at the Winterberg World Cup in December.

Jamaica’s women are competing at an Olympic Games in bobsleigh for the first time – 30 years after their men’s team starred at the 1988 Calgary games. 

Their exploits led to the 1994 Disney film Cool Runnings starring John Candy. 

The women’s team revealed at a press conference last week that they were “honoured” to continue the legacy. 

“A lot of people know of bobsleigh because of the movie Cool Runnings and Jamaica making that launch in 1988 and really pushing bobsleigh with their popularity,” Fenlator-Victorian said.

”But we’re also humbled and honoured to be compared to those men that started and fought so hard to represent Jamaica.

“I mean, in less than six months they competed in the Olympics and although it didn’t have a great result it was more about taking those steps and pathway and paving a way and that helped a lot of us be here today.”