Drama stems from conflict, it's a basic premise that every film relies on. In many underdog films this will come courtesy of a close rival, something which it's fair to say the Jamaican newcomers didn't have. In order to create this tension therefore, the film-makers borrowed two teams that can hardly complain as they were the 1988 four-man Gold and Silver medal winners, Switzerland and East Germany respectively. While Derice's admiration, and even imitation, of Switzerland was used to create tension within the team, the Germans gave the Jamaicans a chilly atmosphere of hostility to overcome. Unlike world cups in Football or Rugby however, the Olympics welcomes as many countries as want to take part, regardless of climate. Thanks to this celebration of competing as much as winning, they were more than welcomed with open arms. Other nations gave the the Jamaicans everything from advice to spare equipment, and in fact the use of a second hand sleigh is one of the few aspects in the film that is actually true. The bobsleigh crash which comes at the climax of Cool Runnings is perhaps even more iconic than the actual crash itself, of which the film used actual TV footage. It did so carefully however, as even the circumstances surrounding the end to the Jamaican's four-man competition were re-imagined. On film it was due to a faulty sled, deflecting the blame from the team's inexperience and human error. Likewise the act of four men carrying an entire bobsleigh is Hollywood exaggeration, but not entirely made up. They may not have carried their sled, but when the 1988 Jamaican Bobsleigh team crashed, they picked themselves up, and finished the course on foot to the applause from the celebrating crowd. When it truly comes down to it, however those four Jamaicans crossed the finish line is almost irrelevant; it is the fact they crossed the line that deserves to be remembered. Both the film and real life are stories of pride and power, and all in all the story of the first Jamaican bobsleigh team is one that deserved to be told. This simple introduction of a Caribbean island to the Winter Games (and vice-versa) is a lead that more and more countries continue to follow. This year Sochi has welcomed seven new nations to the Olympic Winter Games, from Dominica to Zimbabwe, who are following in Jamaica's footsteps.
