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Tough sledding: Coach of Jamaican women's bobsled team quits

MARK RALSTON / AFP / Getty

The Jamaican women's bobsled team is without a coach, and could very well be without a sled, after Sandra Kiriasis quit just days before training starts.

The German coach, who owns the sled that the Jamaican duo of Jazmine Fenlator-Victorian and Carrie Russell were expected to ride at PyeongChang 2018, allegedly stepped down after refusing to change roles - from coach to track performance analyst - which would deny her access to the athletes.

A statement from the Jamaica Bobsleigh Federation, according to Anna Thompson of BBC Sport, read: "Sandra Kiriasis has elected not to continue her position. We are deeply disappointed in her decision to leave the programme.

"We thank her for her invaluable contribution and contributing to the success of Jamaica's first female bobsled Olympic appearance."

The Jamaican duo were expected to become the first women competitors from the Caribbean nation to feature at the Winter Olympics, but their participation could be in jeopardy ahead of Saturday's training session as Kiriasis owns their equipment.

Kiriasis, who won gold at Turin 2006, described the situation as one of the most difficult moments of her life.

"I have never known such disappointment in this sport, in my life," she said.

"The athletes have told me they don't understand why this has happened as they have no problem with me and we have a good relationship."

The women's two-man bobsled heats begin Tuesday.

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