- 9 hours ago
Four Jamaican bobsledders dream of competing in the Winter Olympics, despite never having seen snow
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Short filmTranscript
00:04:29You have papers to read.
00:04:31We'll just get to do one last run.
00:04:32Mm-hmm.
00:04:33I can't believe the child is finally here.
00:04:37You're nervous?
00:04:39I'm not nervous.
00:04:40I'm ready.
00:04:41I'm ready to stay my whole life.
00:04:43I don't care how fast they run.
00:04:45I'm going to run faster.
00:04:47I don't care how much they want.
00:04:48I want them more.
00:04:51I'm going to the liquid state.
00:04:53I'm going to wait and go.
00:04:55Are you nervous?
00:04:56I'm nervous.
00:04:56Are you nervous?
00:04:58I'm terrified.
00:05:05It's my turn, Joy.
00:05:06It's my turn.
00:05:07Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the final event of today's Olympic Trials.
00:05:15We have now come to the main event of our games, the running of the 100-meter finals.
00:05:21You've had a most successful afternoon, and I'd like to congratulate all the athletes who have participated in today's events.
00:05:27Are you sure no one can beat him?
00:05:28Oh, sure, I'm sure.
00:05:30He's a little concerned about that big ball, dude.
00:05:32No!
00:05:33Let me first congratulate our athletes on extended performance.
00:05:39And we remind them that under the top four finishers, we'll earn the rights to represent Jamaica in the forthcoming summer games in Seoul, Korea.
00:05:46Wait, you're Darius Bennett, right?
00:05:49That's all.
00:05:50I hope I make the team. It would be a real honor to run the team.
00:05:53Good luck to you.
00:05:54Good luck to you.
00:05:55Darius Bennett.
00:05:57Hey, good luck to you, too.
00:06:01Runners, take your marks.
00:06:03Get set!
00:06:11Get set!
00:06:11Get set!
00:06:12Get set!
00:06:27Mr. Coolis, please. You have to run the race over.
00:06:50I'm sorry, DeRis. Nothing can be done.
00:06:52But I was born to compete in the Olympics.
00:06:53Then you're going to have to work on your boxing or your cycling.
00:06:55Those are the only other two sportsmen who make a compete.
00:06:58I am not a boxer. I'm a runner.
00:07:00And it wasn't fair.
00:07:02It rarely is, my boy. It rarely is.
00:07:07Well, Papa, what do I do now?
00:07:11Look, DeRis, let it go, DeRis. Let it go.
00:07:14You will have another chance in four years.
00:07:17Yeah.
00:07:20Mr. Coolis, who's the other man who picks you with my father?
00:07:23No. Urban Britsa, he's an American who lives here.
00:07:26Unless, of course, he's been arrested or shot.
00:07:28Excuse me?
00:07:29Well, he's a bookie now.
00:07:30Takes his vets in a small pool hall just past San Diego.
00:07:33Isn't that a gold little around his neck?
00:07:35Oh, yeah.
00:07:36That lunatic was an Olympic bobsledder who tried to get your father to switch sports.
00:07:40That's some theory about using transprinters to push the bobsledder.
00:07:43It's not a ridiculous thing like that.
00:07:45Can you imagine a Jamaican bobsledder?
00:07:47Are you sure this man, he lives on the island?
00:07:52Oh, yes.
00:07:52Mr. Coolis, thanks a lot.
00:07:54Good hurts.
00:07:55Oh, can I borrow this picture?
00:07:56Bring it back.
00:07:57Yes.
00:07:58Take your back, Mr. Coolis.
00:07:59Oh, it's one more thing.
00:08:01Hmm.
00:08:02What's a bobsledder?
00:08:05That's a bobsledder.
00:08:07Oh, so a bobsledder is a pushcart with no wheel.
00:08:10So it looks like here.
00:08:11Let me see that.
00:08:12All right.
00:08:16The key elements for a successful sled team are a steady driver and three strong runners
00:08:20to push up down the ice.
00:08:22Ice!
00:08:23Ice!
00:08:25It's kind of a winter sport, you know.
00:08:29You mean winter as in ice.
00:08:31Baby.
00:08:32You mean winter as in igloos and eskimos and penguins and ice.
00:08:35Possibly.
00:08:36See you.
00:08:38Where you going?
00:08:39I'm going to take a hat back.
00:08:40I'm getting cold to speak about all this ice.
00:08:41No, man.
00:08:42You're going to be part of a bobsledder team.
00:08:44What do you need me for?
00:08:45Who is the best pushcart driver in all of Jamaica?
00:08:49You're looking at him.
00:08:49Then you're going to do it.
00:08:50No!
00:08:52Hey, man, you could be famous.
00:08:54You could have the picture on a Wheaties box.
00:08:56But you said no, and that's all right, because I don't need you.
00:09:00Everybody is going to want to be on my bobsledder team.
00:09:02Look, Star, let me tell you a little something, all right?
00:09:05When you need something from me, you don't have to hand me a bunch of lines.
00:09:07All you have to do is look at me in the eye and say,
00:09:09Sanka, you are my best friend.
00:09:10We've been through a whole heap together, and I really, really need you.
00:09:15Sanka, you're right.
00:09:17And you are my best friend.
00:09:18We've been through a whole lot together.
00:09:20Heap, heap.
00:09:20Sorry, man.
00:09:21Whole heap together.
00:09:23And I really, really need you.
00:09:24And I really, really need you.
00:09:26Forget it.
00:09:27But you just said, if I said that, man.
00:09:28All right, man, right.
00:09:30All right, lad.
00:09:32So, let's talk about this bill, Slepteen.
00:09:33No, Mark Slepteen.
00:09:35Whoever.
00:09:36Now, about the Wheaties box.
00:09:37I'm going to be on it by my thumb, right?
00:09:39No, man.
00:09:39You're going to be on it with me.
00:09:43Yes, I'm on it.
00:09:43Yes.
00:09:44Come on.
00:09:45That's it.
00:09:46Good, Tomoins.
00:09:47Good, Tomoins.
00:09:48No, Tomoins.
00:09:50No.
00:09:50Bad, Tomoins.
00:09:51What are you doing?
00:09:53Don't do that.
00:09:55Let him out.
00:09:56No.
00:09:56I need this one.
00:09:57Please.
00:09:58Come on.
00:09:59Here they come.
00:10:00No.
00:10:00Yes.
00:10:01Tumbleweed can't hold it.
00:10:02It's just the video takes charge.
00:10:03It is Bruce for finishing in seconds.
00:10:04Susan Fry.
00:10:05I'm going to be so around.
00:10:07But my, oh, my.
00:10:08The odds on me are the true cause of that late stretch run.
00:10:11Tumbleweed held up a little bit of a little bit.
00:10:13Only a fool would put their money on Tumbleweed.
00:10:15That horse had no chance.
00:10:16Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh.
00:10:20That guy won two gold medals?
00:10:24I think so.
00:10:30Tumbleweed can't lose race.
00:10:35Excuse me.
00:10:37Are you Mr. Irving Blitzer?
00:10:38Well, that depends on who you ask him.
00:10:40My name is Darius Bannick.
00:10:41This is my teammate, Psycho-Coff.
00:10:43What do you think, you sled guy?
00:10:45You were just wondering if you'd be interested in coaching the first Jamaican bobsled team.
00:10:49One, two, three.
00:10:51Remember the radio?
00:10:51Radio?
00:10:52Stick?
00:10:53Sitting in the stick?
00:10:54Let's go!
00:10:55Let's go!
00:10:55Ready?
00:11:06Come on, George.
00:11:08Just hit me get started.
00:11:10Let's go.
00:11:11Go!
00:11:20Wait, if that guy...
00:11:20Don't bother you to...
00:11:21Oh, my God!
00:11:22Get out!
00:11:25Go away, okay?
00:11:32Right, man!
00:11:33Maybe today is a bad day
00:11:36Yeah
00:11:36I'll come back tomorrow
00:11:38And the next day
00:11:39And the next day
00:11:40And the next day
00:11:41No
00:11:41Look, whatever your name is
00:11:43Darius
00:11:43All right, Darius
00:11:44Let me lay off some difficulties for you
00:11:46Snow
00:11:47You don't have any
00:11:48It's 900 degrees out there
00:11:49Time
00:11:50You don't have any
00:11:51The Olympics are in three months
00:11:52And me
00:11:53You don't have any
00:11:55As far as I'm concerned
00:11:56Sport of bobsledding no longer exists
00:11:58I don't want to do it
00:11:59I don't want to coach it
00:12:00And most of all
00:12:01And I mean most of all
00:12:02I don't want to be within
00:12:042,000 miles of anyone who does
00:12:06Now, did you follow all that?
00:12:08Then how come you still have
00:12:09That post on the wall?
00:12:12Is that what's bothering you?
00:12:16There
00:12:16Is that better?
00:12:18Are you happy?
00:12:25Like I said
00:12:26My name is Darius Spani
00:12:28I'm Ben Lannick's son
00:12:30I haven't seen this picture
00:12:34In 20 years
00:12:35Would you look at me then?
00:12:39Ooh
00:12:40Look at me now
00:12:41Please
00:12:42Mr. Blitz
00:12:43Just give me a chance
00:12:44I don't have what it takes
00:12:46Don't forget the whole thing
00:12:47Believe me kid
00:12:47You do not have what it takes
00:12:49But you thought my father did
00:12:50Your father was one of the
00:12:52Toughest competitors I ever saw
00:12:53He ran 100 meters
00:12:55And 10 flat
00:12:56But I'm gonna deny it now
00:12:58Come on
00:13:01Coaching
00:13:03Sorry
00:13:05There were a couple decades right
00:13:07Oh I see
00:13:08It might be easy for you
00:13:10To walk away from me
00:13:10Mr. Blitzer
00:13:11But you can't walk away from this
00:13:1220 years ago
00:13:13You came down here to see
00:13:14If you could make
00:13:15A Jamaican strength
00:13:16Into a bar center
00:13:17And you never got that chance
00:13:18Look at me
00:13:19Mr. Blitzer
00:13:20I'm your chance
00:13:21Take it
00:13:23All right
00:13:32Good one
00:13:33Quiet down
00:13:34Nice group here
00:13:35Now for two of you lucky people
00:13:37I'll trip to the Olympics
00:13:38Start for right now
00:13:40And I want to introduce you
00:13:42To Mr. Irving Blitzer
00:13:44Who's going to be our
00:13:45Expert bobsled coach
00:13:47Saika
00:13:49This man
00:13:49You're on the air
00:13:51Sled guard
00:13:52Gentlemen
00:13:55A box led is a simple thing
00:13:57Yes
00:13:57It's on the toilet
00:13:58Thank you
00:14:00Thank you very much
00:14:01Basically what you're looking to do
00:14:03Is get your story rear ends
00:14:04To the top of an icy chute
00:14:05In the bottom
00:14:06You're sickin'
00:14:08You're saggin'
00:14:10It's the biggest
00:14:10Coldest roller coaster
00:14:12You've ever been on
00:14:12I
00:14:15Oh
00:14:16It's a freak
00:14:19Oh yeah
00:14:21Oh yeah
00:14:22I almost forgot
00:14:24One minor drawback
00:14:26To the whiteboard
00:14:27Sports
00:14:27That will speak
00:14:28Crash
00:14:29After
00:14:30Always remember
00:14:32Your bones
00:14:33Will not break
00:14:34In a box led
00:14:34No no
00:14:35They shatter
00:14:36Three
00:14:39Two
00:14:42Who wants it
00:14:44Look
00:14:56Balgy's here
00:14:57Glad you can make it mine
00:15:00Don't touch me
00:15:01No problem
00:15:03So what's your name
00:15:05The old Brenner
00:15:06Well
00:15:09It's good to have you as a teammate
00:15:11Brenner
00:15:11Let's get one thing straight
00:15:13Panak
00:15:13We may be on the same team
00:15:15But I am no one's teammate
00:15:17As long as you come here to Bob's name
00:15:19Hey listen man
00:15:20The only reason why I come here
00:15:21Is to get off of this stinkin' island
00:15:23I have to take one of those
00:15:25Bob'slets to do it then
00:15:27Alright
00:15:28No problem
00:15:29Uh
00:15:29Yes
00:15:30Yes I have a problem
00:15:31There's no such thing
00:15:32As a three man sled
00:15:33You're one too many short
00:15:35Hey
00:15:36Meeting start yet
00:15:39Uh oh
00:15:41You
00:15:42I'll kill you
00:15:43Wait wait
00:15:44Wait I'll kill you
00:15:45Hey
00:15:45I'll kill you
00:15:46You don't need anything
00:15:48You're dead on the air
00:15:49I'll kill you
00:15:50And we don't have a team
00:15:51I'm not riding in the same set as that
00:15:54You treat me too you know
00:15:55But in case you haven't noticed
00:15:56There's no one else here
00:15:57You're calling me Slinky Head
00:15:59Slinky Head
00:16:01That's a good one
00:16:02What are you laughing about
00:16:03Nothing
00:16:03If it wasn't for you
00:16:05Rich boy
00:16:05I'd be in the Olympics right now
00:16:07I don't know what you all are arguing about
00:16:09Cause the reason was gonna be
00:16:09Both your butts anyway
00:16:11What are you talking about
00:16:12How about I beat your butt right now
00:16:14How about I draw a line
00:16:14Down the middle of your head
00:16:15So it looks like a butt
00:16:16Forget it man
00:16:22I'm gone
00:16:22Fine
00:16:23Stay here on the island
00:16:25We are going to Canada
00:16:26All right
00:16:31I'll do it
00:16:33But you better tell this
00:16:35Mama's boy
00:16:36To stay the hell away from me
00:16:38You understand
00:16:39No problem
00:16:41Hey Irv
00:16:44Say hello to the first
00:16:46Jamaican Bob Shetty
00:16:47Oh goody
00:16:54Gentlemen
00:16:57This
00:16:57Is a box sled
00:16:59Sort of
00:17:00All right
00:17:01Here's what we're gonna do
00:17:02You will
00:17:02Don't touch me
00:17:04Of course
00:17:04Sorry
00:17:04You're gonna be the second middle man
00:17:06You're strong
00:17:07You're fast
00:17:08And you're gonna love that seat
00:17:09Junior
00:17:10You're the first middle man
00:17:12You're quick
00:17:12You're sharp
00:17:13Hop in
00:17:13Say hi
00:17:15I know I'm the driver
00:17:15No you're the brake man
00:17:17No I'm the driver
00:17:18No you're not
00:17:19You're the brake man
00:17:19I'm the driver
00:17:21You're not
00:17:22You're the brake man
00:17:23You don't understand
00:17:24I'm Senka Coffee
00:17:25I'm the best pushback driver
00:17:26In all of Jamaica
00:17:26I must drive
00:17:27Do you dig where I'm coming from
00:17:29Yeah I dig where you're coming from
00:17:31Good
00:17:31Now dig where I'm coming from
00:17:32I'm coming from two gold medals
00:17:33I'm coming from nine world records
00:17:35In both the two and four man events
00:17:36I'm coming from ten years
00:17:37Of intense competition
00:17:38With the best athletes in the world
00:17:39That's the hell the place
00:17:41Are you coming from
00:17:41You see Senka
00:17:43The driver has to work
00:17:44Harder than anyone
00:17:44He's the first to show up
00:17:46And the last to leave
00:17:47When his teammates
00:17:48Are all out drinking beer
00:17:48He's up in his room
00:17:50Studying pictures of turns
00:17:51You see a driver
00:17:52Must remain focused
00:17:52100% at all times
00:17:54Not only is he responsible
00:17:55For knowing every inch
00:17:56Of every course he races
00:17:57He's also responsible
00:17:58For the lives
00:17:59Of the other three people
00:18:00In his sled
00:18:00Now do you want
00:18:03That responsibility
00:18:03I tell you
00:18:04You make the reason
00:18:04The driver
00:18:05So do I Senka
00:18:06So do I
00:18:07Oh the back is nice
00:18:13Alright father
00:18:15Listen here
00:18:16You see I've made up my mind
00:18:17I'm going to be
00:18:18A bobsled
00:18:19That's right
00:18:21A bobsled
00:18:22Oh really
00:18:24Well I'm sorry
00:18:26You feel that way
00:18:27Fine
00:18:28Cut off my laws
00:18:29Because you see father
00:18:31A man has got to do
00:18:33What a man
00:18:34Has got to do
00:18:35That's who I want to see
00:18:44Me
00:18:45You know where I just came from
00:18:48Where
00:18:49I got you a job
00:18:51I got you a job
00:18:51With Webster
00:18:52Webster
00:18:53Webster and Cohen
00:18:53The biggest brokerage house
00:18:55In Miami
00:18:55Oh right
00:18:56Webster
00:18:56Webster
00:18:57And Cohen
00:18:57That's right
00:18:58And you start
00:18:59End of the month
00:19:00Yes but I thought
00:19:03That I would
00:19:04Look
00:19:04We went along with this
00:19:06Track nonsense
00:19:06Long enough
00:19:07We agreed
00:19:09That it's time
00:19:10To get on with
00:19:10Your real future
00:19:11Right
00:19:12Right
00:19:13Yes sir
00:19:16I'm going to turn him off
00:19:21I guess you sure told him
00:19:31Winning a bobsled race is about one thing
00:19:36A push start
00:19:37Now I know you dainty little trap stars
00:19:39Think you're fast
00:19:40Well
00:19:41Let's see how fast you are
00:19:43When you push a 600 pound sled
00:19:44Now our respectful start time
00:19:46Is 5.7 seconds
00:19:47If you speak
00:19:49Evens can't whip off
00:19:49And even sits flat
00:19:50You have a better chance
00:19:51Of becoming a barbershop quartet
00:19:5314.3
00:20:07Okay
00:20:0713.5
00:20:0911.7
00:20:10Right here
00:20:13Right here
00:20:15Right here
00:20:15Right here
00:20:16Go
00:20:16We're going down
00:20:18We're going hustle
00:20:19That's up
00:20:19Ready to go
00:20:20Ow
00:20:22Do it again
00:20:23Go
00:20:24Go
00:20:24That's how we need
00:20:25That way
00:20:25That's how we need
00:20:26Right
00:20:26And in
00:20:27That's how we need
00:20:28Great
00:20:31Very good
00:20:32Right again
00:20:33I've tried it once
00:20:35I've tried it 46 times
00:20:37Cold weather insurance
00:20:38Is vital to building
00:20:39A successful sled team
00:20:40Cold enough
00:20:43One
00:20:46Two
00:20:47Three
00:21:49Who are you?
00:21:50I'm their coach.
00:21:50You guys okay?
00:21:51Yeah.
00:21:52How's the sled?
00:21:53Yeah, man, we're fine.
00:21:53Sled's okay?
00:21:54Well, it's in the wrong place.
00:21:55Get it back to the top of the hill.
00:21:56Let's move it right now, you slackers.
00:21:57Move it.
00:21:58Let's move it.
00:21:58Come on.
00:21:59Let's move it.
00:21:59Come on, you guys.
00:22:00Move it.
00:22:00I'm not asking for a winter sports program.
00:22:04All I need is a lousy 20 grand so I can get us to the Olympics.
00:22:07That's all.
00:22:08How in God's name are you going to get to the Olympics?
00:22:10These boys have never even seen a sled race before.
00:22:12Mr. Coolidge, I have been looking at sledders since I was 12 years old.
00:22:15If I say these kids can make it to the Olympics, they can make it to the Olympics.
00:22:18Okay.
00:22:19Well, I'll tell you what we'll do.
00:22:21Practice down here with the boys a bit more.
00:22:23And when you're a little further along, I'll come along and see you.
00:22:25No.
00:22:26No.
00:22:26No.
00:22:26Just a minute, Mr. Blitzer.
00:22:28This country enjoys a fine athletic tradition.
00:22:30And if you think I'm going to give you the little money we have so that you can parade
00:22:33us around in front of the world like a freak show, you've got another thing coming.
00:22:36It's bad enough how you embarrassed your own country.
00:22:39I'm certainly not going to allow you to embarrass us.
00:22:43No joke here.
00:22:45That's okay, Coach.
00:22:46We'll get the money.
00:22:47Do the words give up mean anything to you?
00:22:49Not a thing.
00:22:51Some people say you know they can't believe Jemaine Gawie have a bobsled team.
00:22:56Some people say you know they can't believe Jemaine Gawie have a bobsled team.
00:23:00Hi.
00:23:01I'm here to offer you an opportunity of a lifetime.
00:23:03We're looking for a sponsor for the first Jamaican bobsled team.
00:23:06Oh, my God.
00:23:06I'm here to offer you an opportunity of a
00:23:34Ha, ha, ha, ha.
00:24:04Ha, ha, ha.
00:24:34Love people say, you know, they can't believe.
00:24:36We have a bobsled team.
00:24:38We have the one there is.
00:24:39How much?
00:24:41I made a dollar and fifteen cents.
00:24:42Oh, that's great.
00:24:44We're only short about nineteen thousand bucks.
00:24:46Start with me later, everybody.
00:24:46Yeah, that is worth it.
00:24:48You don't pack your suitcase, Junior.
00:24:49You're not going.
00:24:51That's too bad.
00:24:52What did you get, man?
00:24:58I sold my car.
00:25:00Yes, man.
00:25:01I am good.
00:25:02No, we're not.
00:25:03Look here, Junior, I appreciate what you're trying to do here.
00:25:06We can't accept this money.
00:25:07Just wouldn't be proper.
00:25:08Ah, there is.
00:25:09If I hadn't tripped you fellas, we'd already been going to the Olympics.
00:25:12I want you to have it.
00:25:14You mean you want us to have it, right?
00:25:21Right.
00:25:21Us.
00:25:23Thanks a lot, Junior.
00:25:25Thanks a whole heap, man.
00:25:26Remember, this doesn't mean that I like you.
00:25:29You understand?
00:25:30Be sure to thank your father for us.
00:25:31As Lord knows, he didn't have to let you sell that car.
00:25:33Well, he doesn't know I sold the car.
00:25:35Um, he doesn't know I'm on the team.
00:25:38He thinks I'm off to Miami.
00:25:40And I loaned the car to a friend to work for Webster-Webster and Cohen.
00:25:44Some place like that.
00:25:46Some people say you know them can't believe.
00:25:48Jamaica, we have a bounce like Tinder.
00:25:50Yes.
00:25:51One, there is.
00:25:51And no one, Junior.
00:25:53You, Sanka, the fastest are the fastest of Jamaican sprinters.
00:25:57Go to Olympics, fight for Jamaica.
00:26:05You, Sanka, the fastest are the fastest.
00:26:35You, Sanka, the fastest are the fastest.
00:27:05I'm not smoking.
00:27:07I'm breathing.
00:27:09All right, fellas, this is us.
00:27:11Let's go.
00:27:11Come on.
00:27:13What's the matter?
00:27:14You're had a cold?
00:27:15Not so much.
00:27:16The heat has committed to kill you.
00:27:18The heat has committed to kill you.
00:35:35Watch out for number 12 turn.
00:36:06Oh, yeah.
00:37:36What I'm saying to you.
00:46:36Oh, I took care.
00:49:06Okay, guys.
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