Bitter-sweet moment as 4-man bobsleigh team unable to finish ride

Senior Multimedia Reporter

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It was a bittersweet moment for T&T’s four-man bobsleigh team of Axel Brown, Xaverri Williams, Shakeel John, and De Aundre John yesterday on the final day of the Winter Olympics at the Milano Cortina Centre in Italy.

Besides the history-making moment of being the first four-man T&T bobsleigh team to compete at the Winter Olympic Games, the chorus increased in decibels when the team delivered a 55.72 time in heat 1 to finish in the 27th position, which led to an expected improved time in the other heat.

However, tragedy struck when the sled lost its line and came off rhythm on the track, forcing a DNF (did not finish) for the T&T team. The development caused Team Austria not to finish its ride also. Despite the incident, Brown and company emerged unhurt and were able to wave to cheering supporters.

The incident comes on the heels of a pair of impressive performances in the two-man bobsleigh last week.

Last weekend, the country’s two-man bobsleigh team of Brown and De Aundre John finished 25th with a combined time of 1:54.19 from two races. In their first heat, the pair of Brown and John stopped the clock at 57.22, as they finished behind by 2.54 for a 25th spot. In the second heat, the T&T duo did not finish too far off the first, crossing the line in 56.97 for another overall 25th place.

Head of Delegation and Chef de Mission of the T&T contingent, Lovie Santana, said the mishap was only the nature of the sport. “Today marks the conclusion of competition for Team TTO at the Milano Winter Olympic Games. It is a bittersweet ending, but one filled with immense pride. Highest praise to our skiers and bobsleigh teams who proudly represented Trinidad and Tobago, put our nation on the world stage, and created history.”

“In my capacity as Head of Delegation/ Chef de Mission, I am extremely proud to have witnessed this journey firsthand. Simply qualifying for the Winter Olympic Games is a major accomplishment, and these athletes gave their all, competing with determination, resilience, and national pride every step of the way.”

“Special thanks to our National Olympic Committee of Trinidad and Tobago for their guidance, leadership, and unwavering support throughout this historic journey. Your commitment to athlete development and representation continues to make moments like these possible.”