Cool Runnings - Olympic Journey

The 1993 hit movie, Cool Runnings, captivated audiences by telling the underdog story of Jamaica’s first bobsled team that competed in the 1988 Winter Olympics. While the movie has many memorable moments, nothing quite rises to the dramatic end of the team’s Olympic debut where they carried their damaged bobsled across the finish line. For this reason, I created a 656-piece set honoring one of the most iconic moments in movie history.

The final climatic moment of the Jamaican team’s run was powerful due to the team’s journey both to and during the Olympic Games. To add emphasis to the moment, I created multiple bobsleds running down a slope to symbolize the journey. The first sled at the top of the slope, flanked by Olympic flags, is a recreation of the hastily- built training “sled” the team built to practice on dirt roads in snow-less Jamaica. Next, the second sled is a recreation of the team’s old, rusted bobsled that they procured upon reaching Calgary. Finally, the third bobsled is a recreation of the fixed-up sled the team used during their historic run, complete with decals from the movie.

In the movie, the Jamaican bobsled team braved ridicule and persevered despite constant obstacles in their path. While the journey’s end is at the heart of this set, it was their perseverance and never-give-up attitude that led to the dramatic conclusion. As such, the Cool Runnings – Olympic Journey set is intended to display the Jamaican team’s determination through the use of different bobsled models.