Sport

Jamaica will compete in the four-man bobsled at the Winter Olympics for the first time in 24 years

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 18th January 2022

Jamaica will have a four-man bobsled team in the Winter Olympics this year – a feat so difficult and unexpected, it inspired the comedy film Cool Runnings.

It’s been 24 years since Jamaica sent a four-man team to the event, which this year will take place in Beijing.

Even before the games kick off it’s a historic year for Team Jamaica, which will now compete in three Olympic bobsled events for the first time.

As well as the four-man bobsled, the nation will also have a presence in the two-man and the women’s monobob events.

They may also be able to compete in the two-woman event, narrowly missing out on a guaranteed place but first in line for the reserves.

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A post from Team Jamaica says: “It will be fire on ice as Team Jamaica secured their spot at the 2022 Beijing #WinterOlympics.”

Cool Runnings was inspired by Jamaica’s bobsled team. Credit: Disney

Shanwayne Stephens, who is expected to lead the four-man team, said they have ‘already made history’.

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He wrote: “We have only gone and done it. We have officially qualified for @beijing2022.

Read more: A new exhibition shining a light on the history of women’s football is opening in Manchester

“This journey started 4 years ago and it’s been one filled with ups, downs, injuries, frustration and anger.

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“All of which, looking back has prepared us for what what we have managed to achieve this year.

“It’s been 24 years since Jamaica has had a 4man crew at the Olympics and we have never qualified both sleds at the same time. Just by qualifying, we have already made history.”

Thanking his teammates Matthew Wilson, Rolando Reid, Ashley Watson and Nimroy Turgott, he continued: “These boys have risen to every challenge they have faced this season and are the reason this dream was possible.

“If we thought the hard work was over, it isn’t, it’s only just beginning.

“Let’s keep the focus and stamp our names in the history books!! Let’s go Jamaica”

Featured image: Team Jamaica

Sport

Manchester United are offering fans the chance to play at Old Trafford as part of a dream competition

Danny Jones Danny Jones Play at Old Trafford competition Man United Marriot Bonvoy competition

Manchester United fans are being offered the chance to live out their childhood dreams and play at Old Trafford as part of an exciting new competition by the club.

For anyone who has grown up a Red, the idea of playing under the lights at the Theatre of Dreams is a fantasy most can only ever fantasise about – even being a ball boy or a mascot would suffice for some – but Man United are taking things even further.

Teaming up with hotel partners, Marriott Bonvoy, not only is the club prepared to give supporters the opportunity to walk out onto that pitch and play a real game of footy, but they’re also hoping to give those fortunate enough to win the ultimate stay in Manchester city centre.

Fancy playing in red, watching the match at the weekend, enjoying a lavish hotel room and much more?

As part of this limited-time-only competition, United are giving away the perfect hospitality package in collaboration with Marriott Bonvoy, the hotel group’s loyalty programme which specialises in helping members redeem points towards extra perks like activities, spending and free stays at luxury resorts.

So, not only will the 10 lucky winners get to part in the exclusive ‘Play on the Pitch’ event, but they will also receive a pair of tickets to watch the Manchester United vs Aston Villa game on 25 May 2025 and (get this) a FOUR-night stay for two at the Manchester Marriott Hotel Piccadilly.

It doesn’t stop there either…

As well as round-trip flights for those flying into Manchester from abroad and full train coverage for anyone travelling into the city, those selected will also be treated to a group dinner with a Man United legend and no, we can’t tell you who it is: that would spoil the surprise!

Come on, that’s a pretty incredible deal, right?

phil bardsley man united legend
We’ve been met a few Reds past and present in our time.
man united dressing rooom
Your kit is waiting for you…
It’s the shared dream of millions all over the world to play at Old Trafford (Credit: The Manc Group)

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As if all this wasn’t enough, if selected, you will also receive a variety of personalised gifts from the club and Marriot Bonvoy to remember the experience – not that you’ll be forgetting it any time soon.

To have a chance at winning this unreal competition, all you need to do is simply complete the entry form HERE before 23:59 on the closing date, which is 31 March, 2025.

Entry is currently open (18+ only), so don’t waste any more time if you want to win the opportunity of a lifetime. You can find the full terms and conditions online but, other than that, we just really hope you score a proper screamer right in front of the Stretford End.

Best of luck!

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — The Manc Group

Sport

Pep Guardiola signs new contract to stay at Manchester City until 2027

Danny Jones Danny Jones Pep stay at Man City for one more year new deal

Blues will be delighted to hear that Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is staying after agreeing to sign a contract extension that will keep him at the club until at least 2027.

The Catalan coach and supremely talented tactician has won all there is to win with Man City and after completing not only a record-matching treble but making history by becoming the first English team to win four Premier League titles in a row, you could argue his Etihad project is well and truly completed.

Guardiola, who joined City back in 2016, has gradually been creeping towards the end of his most recent contract, leaving those slowly searching for his replacement and the fan base wondering what the future holds for their next chapter.

But it turns out they don’t have to worry about life after Pep for a little while longer, as the 53-year-old has now extended his stay for another two seasons. The blue moon that has loomed over Manchester for the best part of a decade isn’t going anywhere just yet.

Although reports earlier this week suggested that Pep Guardiola would remain head coach for at least another season after agreeing to a one-year deal with an option of extending for another 12 months, it appears as though the club have gone even further to offer him a deal to stay even longer.

The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager, who is comfortably one of the most decorated and celebrated coaches in football history, was due to leave the club at the end of the current campaign.

However, although his contract would have seen him depart by June of next summer, this new deal will now see him stay in post until the end of the 2026/27 campaign, which will see him surpass the 10-year mark and then some.

It’s the news all Blues have been waiting for and an announcement that will no doubt come as a huge relief given the immense success he has brought to East Manchester.

Despite waiting until now to seemingly decide his future, the man himself has actually been pretty clear on the matter, insisting that he “fell in love” with the club from the moment he got here and saying as far back as 2020 that “unless they [CFG] sack me, I will stay here.”

Speaking in an official statement, Guardiola said: “Manchester City means so much to me. This is my ninth season here; we have experienced so many amazing times together. I have a really special feeling for this football club. That is why I am so happy to be staying for another two more seasons.”

“Thank you to everyone for continuing to trust and support me – The Owner, The Chairman Khaldoon, Ferran, Txiki, the players and of course the fans… everyone connected to Manchester City. It has always been an honour, a pleasure and a privilege to be here.”

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Better still, while the details of the agreement are yet to be fully detailed, it is thought that the new contract still includes an option to extend for an extra year, meaning we could be looking at Pep in Premier League dugouts even longer.

Should City go on to close the gap on current league leaders Liverpool, it would mean Guardiola would have overseen five title wins with the same team in a row: a feat only matched by very few in European football, most notably Juventus and Bayern Munich, the latter having managed 13 consecutive years.

Who knows if/when Guardiola will actually leave the Etihad Stadium for a new challenge, all we know is he changed modern football forever and has given Manchester – a city already spoilt in this respect – some of the most impressive football it’s ever seen.

All we do know is that the beautiful game’s passionate, bald, tiki-taka extraordinaire known simply as Pep is staying in 0161 for the time being and there are countless fans who are absolutely buzzing about it.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Optus Sport/Sky Sports (via YouTube)/Rufus46 (via Wikimedia Commons)

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