Jamaica Shines at the 2026 Winter Olympics: Cool Runnings Legacy Lives On in Milano Cortina!
As the curtains closed on the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics on February 22, one thing is crystal clear: our island nation once again proved that heart, hustle, and sheer Jamaican resilience can light up the ice, even when the snow is falling far from our sunny shores.
Team Jamaica sent a squad of 6 athletes (5 men and 1 groundbreaking woman) across two sports: bobsleigh and alpine skiing. Although there were no medals this time around, the stories, the breakthroughs, and the pure pride we brought to Italy was unforgettable. This was about showing up, competing at the highest level, and inspiring the next generation of “Cool Runnings” dreamers.
Jamaica’s First Female Bobsledder Delivers!
Let’s start with the star of the show: Mica Moore in the women’s monobob. This queen made history as the first Jamaican woman ever to compete in bobsleigh at the Olympics, and she didn’t just show up, she showed OUT!
Moore posted solid runs on the lightning-fast Eugenio Monti track in Cortina:
- Run 1: 1:00.55 (17th)
- Run 2: 1:00.43 (15th)
- Run 3: 1:00.41 (17th)
- Run 4: 59.92 (her fastest ever under 1 minute — 13th in that heat!)
Final placement: 14th overall with a total time of 4:01.31. That ties Jamaica’s all-time best Winter Olympic finish (matching the legendary men’s team from Calgary 1988). Moore said it best herself: “It’s more than I ever dreamed of… I just finished 14th at the Olympics. I’m very happy and proud.” She’s definitely made the entire island beam with pride.
Bobsleigh Squad Keeps the Jamaican Sled Legacy Strong
Our bobsleigh teams brought the energy across three events:
- Men’s Two-Man (pilot Shane Pitter + Junior Harris): Finished 22nd overall (2:49.37). They saved their best for Heat 3 with a blazing 55.97 — their fastest run of the competition — showing they belong on the big stage.
- Men’s Four-Man (Shane Pitter, Junior Harris, Tyquendo Tracey, Joel Fearon — with Andrae Dacres supporting the crew): Placed joint-21st (2:46.02). They climbed the rankings heat by heat in one of the toughest fields out there.
These guys pushed sleds built with Jamaican grit against teams that train on ice year-round. They were the embodiment of “likkle but tallawah.” And yes, the uniforms and sled designs had everyone talking.
Young Gun Henri Rivers IV Represents with Courage
In the men’s slalom at Bormio, 18-year-old Henri Rivers IV (one of the talented Rivers triplets) carried the flag as co-flagbearer at the Opening Ceremony alongside Mica. The course was brutal — fog, heavy snow, and conditions that caused dozens of experienced racers to DNF.
Henri gave it everything on Run 1 but spun out early due to the treacherous visibility. He did not finish but made history as only the second Jamaican ever in Olympic alpine skiing (following Benjamin Alexander in 2022).
Why This Performance Matters for Jamaica
Sixty-three countries left Milano Cortina without a medal, including plenty of winter powerhouses, but Jamaica left with something better: proof that a tropical island with no snow can compete seriously on the world’s biggest winter stage. We qualified three bobsleigh sleds (matching our strong showing in Beijing 2022), made our first female bobsleigh appearance, tied our best-ever finish, and had athletes pushing personal bests against the elite. As one Team Jamaica member put it after their final run: “We gave everything we had on that track.”
Huge congratulations to every athlete, coach, and supporter who made this possible. From the Jamaica Olympic Association to the Bobsleigh & Skeleton Federation — unnuh do di ting!
To our 2026 heroes — Mica, Shane, Junior, Tyquendo, Joel, Andrae, and Henri — thank you for carrying the black, green, and gold with pride. You didn’t just compete, you inspired.
Can’t wait to see what 2030 brings. Until then, keep dreaming big, Jamaica. The world is watching, and we’re just getting warmed up.
