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"Feel the rhythm! Feel the rhyme! Get on up, its bobsled time!"
Thanks to the kindness of strangers, the members of Jamaica's bobsled team will be able to shout this famous line from the cult movie Cool Runnings with pride as they prepare to compete in the Sochi Winter Olympics.
After qualifying for the Games, the team found itself unable to cover the costs of traveling to Russia and outfitting a sled - a situation similar to the 1993 film, which tells the true story of the first Jamaican bobsled making it to the Galgary Winter Olympics in 1988.
In a 21st century twist on the inspiring story, the 2014 team used crowdfunding websites such as Crowdtilt, Indiegogo, and Dogecoin to raise the necessary cash and were inundated with donations from people around the world who were touched by their perseverance.
After exceeding the $80,000 target in a matter of days, the Sochi Olympic Organizing Committee was so impressed with the team's initiative that they offered to cover the necessary expenses, allowing the Jamaicans to use the money raised for training and upgrading their equipment ahead of the Games instead.
Helmets off to these incredible sportsmen for not giving up on their dream.
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