TT begin campaigning at Winter Olympic Games 2022

Trinidad and Tobago: On Monday, the men’s bobsleigh team of the island country has started with their campaign at the 2022 Winter Olympic Games at the Yanqing National Sliding Centre in Beijing, China.

The team has been led by two athletes, pilot Axel Brown and brakeman Andre Marcano; they hit the icy track for the first of three slides. National teams will compete according to their ranking in International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (IBSF).

Earlier this week, the country conducted six test runs down the 1,600-metre track. During their run, the fastest time was achieved on the fifth attempt – one minute and 1.35 seconds (1:01:35) and the slowest came on the initial attempt – one minute 02:52 seconds (1:02:52).

Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC) president Brian Lewis attended the tournament in Beijing and said that the team was excited about their first Olympic appearance. It will be the first time in 20 years that Trinidad and Tobago competed in men’s bobsleigh. This squad has previously qualified for three times, in 1994, 1998, and 2002.

President Lewis added, “The team is in good spirits and looking forward to the competitive return of the Team TTO after 20 years away from the Winter Olympics. It’s all about managing expectations.”

“Getting in the top 20 is a simple or easy task. That is the immediate target. If we get into the top 20, it will be a huge achievement for Trinidad and Tobago on return after two decades.”

The China Meteorological Administration issued a blizzard warning on Sunday, predicting heavy snowfall across much of northern China, including Beijing, the capital and current Winter Olympic host.

According to the Chinese government, the lowest of the four levels of alert, with up to 4 cm (1.6 inches) of snow expected in some areas.