Cool Runnings: If ever there was a story about determination, teamwork and fighting for your dreams, the 1993 Walt Disney film Cool Runnings would be it!
If you’ve never seen the movie, ask your parents, teacher or guardian about it. We have a feeling they’re going to curl their lips into a smile. If they haven’t seen it, we think you should host a movie night with your people.
The film follows the journey of the Jamaican Bobsled team who participated in the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary, Canada. You can watch the trailer here to get up to speed or to refresh your memory:
https://youtu.be/wLlmymHRNZg?t=25
Did you know that Cool Runnings is based on a true story? Devon Harris (one of the team members) actually wrote and published a book. Now, as is the case with most film adaptations of actual life events, Cool Runnings was heavily adapted for our cinematic pleasure.
Dudley “Tal” Stokes was one of the team members of this epic tale. He decided to spill the beans and give us a real-life account of what happened. Now, if you haven’t seen the movie, don’t worry! We’ll try not to give anything away.
The team had a full three months to prepare for the winter Olympics. With the help of some professional trainers, they managed to get themselves in tip-top shape for the big event.
The members, including Stokes, were recruited from the Jamaican army and were warmly welcomed by the 1988 Olympics. The movie made it look like they were severely bullied, we’re relieved to hear that they weren’t in real life!
SPOILER ALERT!
If you haven’t seen the movie but plan to, please do that first before finishing this story.
One thing the movie got right was this: the crash.
Here’s a video of the real-life crash that took place in 1988. Before you watch, remember that all of the team members were OK after the crash.
Real footage of Cool Runnings:
Dudley’s brother, Chris Stokes, was also part of the team. Years later, he was asked about the crash, and he just said he felt terribly embarrassed and saw the crash as a massive failure. In the video, you can see the team pushing their sledge to the end of the track.
Can you imagine how sad they were to have crashed in front of the entire world and thinking that you’ve made a complete fool of yourself and your country?
Poor boys!
Luckily they were welcomed back home with love, understanding and support. They didn’t let anyone down at all!
So, what can we learn from this epic team?
The Cool Runnings team taught the world three fundamental lessons back in 1988:
- Win or lose, things are always better when you’re part of a team.
- Keep on pushing (coincidentally also the name of the organisation Chris Stokes established to help underprivileged children in Jamaica)
- The movie taught us that consistent kindness could help sweeten the most bitter people.
Go, Team!
https://www.businessinsider.com/the-real-story-of-the-cool-runnings-bobsled-team-2014-2?IR=T
https://olympics.com/en/featured-news/jamaican-bobsleigh-team-1988-winter-olympics
Cool Runnings
Sleek Sleighing
If ever there was a story about determination, teamwork and fighting for your dreams, the 1993 Walt Disney film Cool Runnings would be it!
If you’ve never seen the movie, ask your parents, teacher or guardian about it.
We have a feeling they’re going to curl their lips into a smile.
If they haven’t seen it, we think you should host a movie night with your people.
The film follows the journey of the Jamaican Bobsled team who participated in the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary, Canada.
You can watch the trailer here to get up to speed or to refresh your memory:
Did you know that Cool Runnings is based on a true story?
Devon Harris (one of the team members) actually wrote and published a book.
Now, as is the case with most film adaptations of actual life events, Cool Runnings was heavily adapted for our cinematic pleasure.
Dudley “Tal” Stokes was one of the team members of this epic tale.
He decided to spill the beans and give us a real-life account of what happened.
Now, if you haven’t seen the movie, don’t worry!
We’ll try not to give anything away, just yet.
The team had a full three months to prepare for the winter Olympics.
With the help of some professional trainers, they managed to get themselves in tip-top shape for the big event.
The members, including Stokes, were recruited from the Jamaican army and were warmly welcomed by the 1988 Olympics.
The movie made it look like they were severely bullied, we’re relieved to hear that they weren’t in real life!
!!!SPOILER ALERT!!!
If you haven’t seen the movie but plan to, please do that first before finishing this story.
One thing the movie got right was this: the crash.
Here’s a video of the real-life crash that took place in 1988.
Before you watch, remember that all of the team members were OK after the crash.
real footage:
Dudley’s brother, Chris Stokes, was also part of the team.
Years later, he was asked about the crash, and he just said he felt terribly embarrassed and saw the crash as a massive failure.
In the video, you can see the team pushing their sledge to the end of the track.
Can you imagine how sad they were to have crashed in front of the entire world and thinking that you’ve made a complete fool of yourself and your country?
Poor boys!
but...
Luckily they were welcomed back home with love, understanding and support.
They didn’t let anyone down at all!
so, what can we learn from this team?
The team taught the
world three fundamental
lessons back in 1988:
1. Win or lose, things are always
better when you're part of a team.
2. Keep on pushing!
Coincidentally, that is also the name of the organisation Chris Stokes established to help underprivileged children in Jamaica.
Consistent kindness could help
sweeten the most bitter people.
Sleek Sleighing
If ever there was a story about determination, teamwork and fighting for your dreams, the 1993 Walt Disney film Cool Runnings would be it!
If you’ve never seen the movie, ask your parents, teacher or guardian about it.
We have a feeling they’re going to curl their lips into a smile.
If they haven’t seen it, we think you should host a movie night with your people.
The film follows the journey of the Jamaican Bobsled team who participated in the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary, Canada.
You can watch the trailer here to get up to speed or to refresh your memory:
Did you know that Cool Runnings is based on a true story?
Devon Harris (one of the team members) actually wrote and published a book.
Now, as is the case with most film adaptations of actual life events, Cool Runnings was heavily adapted for our cinematic pleasure.
Dudley “Tal” Stokes was one of the team members of this epic tale.
He decided to spill the beans and give us a real-life account of what happened.
Now, if you haven’t seen the movie, don’t worry!
We’ll try not to give anything away, just yet.
The team had a full three months to prepare for the winter Olympics.
With the help of some professional trainers, they managed to get themselves in tip-top shape for the big event.
The members, including Stokes, were recruited from the Jamaican army and were warmly welcomed by the 1988 Olympics.
The movie made it look like they were severely bullied, we’re relieved to hear that they weren’t in real life!
!!!SPOILER ALERT!!!
If you haven’t seen the movie but plan to, please do that first before finishing this story.
One thing the movie got right was this: the crash.
Here’s a video of the real-life crash that took place in 1988.
Before you watch, remember that all of the team members were OK after the crash.
real footage:
Dudley’s brother, Chris Stokes, was also part of the team.
Years later, he was asked about the crash, and he just said he felt terribly embarrassed and saw the crash as a massive failure.
In the video, you can see the team pushing their sledge to the end of the track.
Can you imagine how sad they were to have crashed in front of the entire world and thinking that you’ve made a complete fool of yourself and your country?
Poor boys!
but...
Luckily they were welcomed back home with love, understanding and support.
They didn’t let anyone down at all!
so, what can we learn from this team?
The team taught the world three fundamental lessons back in 1988:
1. Win or lose, things are always better when you're part of a team.
2. Keep on pushing!
Coincidentally, that is also the name of the organisation Chris Stokes established to help underprivileged children in Jamaica.
Consistent kindness could help sweeten the most bitter people.
