Jamaica’s Olympic bobsled team hits rough patch as ‘destructive’ coach leaves on eve of competition

The romantic tale of Jamaica’s Winter Olympic bobsleigh return – likened to the beloved film Cool Runnings – was shattered spectacularly on Wednesday as the team’s “destructive” German coach resigned on the eve of the competition.

Sandra Kiriasis, a world, European and Olympic champion as a competitor, “elected not to continue her position” as driver coach to the Jamaican women’s team at the Pyeongchang Olympics, the Jamaica Bobsleigh (JBSF) announced.

That, however, was quickly superseded by JBSF President Christian Stokes, who said: “The lady was a hugely destructive force on the team.

“Now that she is off the team, synergy is much better, tension is down and athletes are now able to focus in a much healthier environment.”

“We have our High Performance Director Jo Manning and Coach Dudley Stokes, who have been with the team all season and who have been the ones driving performance, so frankly things have only improved with her departure.

“If you come on the team you have to be a team player. There are no Gods and Goddesses here.”