Jamaican bobsled team gets new sled from Red Stripe USA
The beer company came to their rescue after their coach bounced.
It was announced last week that their coach, Sandra Kiriasis, quit after she had been allegedly reassigned as a track performance analyst. The real problem for the team however came not just from their coach abruptly leaving them, but from the fact that Kiriasis took their sled along with her,
It’s been quite the ride for the Jamaican women’s bobsled team in the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang.
It was announced last week that their coach, Sandra Kiriasis, quit after she had been allegedly reassigned as a track performance analyst. The Jamaican Bobsled and Skeleton Federation, however, said that Kiriasis “elected” to leave.
The real problem for the team came not just from their coach abruptly deciding to leave them in South Korea, but from the fact that Kiriasis took their sled along with her, according to Business Insider.
Apparently, Kiriasis leased the sled herself, which made her responsible for it’s use and return. She refused to give it to the team unless they paid for it themselves.
READ MORE: EMOTIONAL JAMAICAN BOBSLEDDER TALKS DIVERSITY IN SPORTS
An unlikely hero steps in
When the news of the Jamaican team’s sudden internal issues became public, the received tons of support online, most notably from Jamaican beer company, Red Stripe.
“No bobsled, no problem. If you need a new ride @Jambobsled, put it on @RedStripe’s tab. DM us and we’ll be in touch,” the company tweeted out.
No bobsled, no problem. If you need a new ride @Jambobsled, put it on @RedStripe’s tab. DM us and we’ll be in touch ??
— Red Stripe USA (@RedStripeUSA) February 15, 2018
After contacting the team, Red Stripe USA ultimately decided to buy the sled according to, The Washington Post for about $50,000. The beer company gladly paid it in order to give the team a chance to compete.
Company spokesman Bjorn Trowery said that Red Stripe had discussed internally whether they were in violation of marketing rules, but once they discussed  and decided to help out, it was a “whirlwind” from then on.
“My expense report this month will include a bobsleigh on it,” Trowery said.
READ MORE: 13 ATHLETES YOU SHOULD FOLLOW AT THE WINTER OLYMPICS
A general manager for Red Stripe told NBC Olympics of the gesture: “This is not a joke. The games are an honor to compete in, and as the No. 1 beer in Jamaica, we want to help those athletes realize their dreams. The athletes clearly have not quit, so we would love to do our part and put the cost of a new bobsled on our ‘bar tab.'”
