Just days after storming to victory in the 200m at the Jamaica National Championships, Ashanti Moore was formally introduced as the newest addition to the Jamaica Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (JBSF) on Tuesday night. The announcement was made by JBSF President Nelson Stokes at a cocktail reception held at the S Hotel in Kingston, where he outlined the federation’s bold ambitions to return Jamaica to the Winter Olympic podium between 2026 and 2034.

Describing Moore as “an impressive athlete with all the attributes of a world-beater in bobsleigh,” Stokes said she will be a central figure in the programme’s Olympic campaign. “If she continues running so well, we may have a little challenge keeping her in bobsleigh,” he quipped, “but we’ll work on that.” Moore’s recruitment is part of an aggressive talent identification strategy focused entirely on elite Jamaican athletes—no imports, no shortcuts.

Against the background of Jamaica losing four elite field-event athletes to Turkiye Stokes joked that Jamaica remains a net exporter of talent and declared that the federation’s future lies in developing what the country already possesses in abundance. “We don’t need to look anywhere else. The talent is right here,” he said. That belief has already borne fruit with a growing roster of standout athletes, including former national 100m champion Tyquendo Tracey, who after just two weeks of bobsleigh training pushed the sixth-fastest start time in the world at last year’s World Championships.

Also highlighted on the night was 18-year-old Adana Johnson, who competed at the Youth Olympic Games while still in high school at Immaculate Conception. She completed her CXCs in June after competing in February’s Winter Olympics and earned eleven ones in the process. Johnson went on to place 20th at the World Championships as a 17-year-old and is currently on a full scholarship through a partnership between the JBSF and the South Korean Olympic Committee and PyeongChang Legacy Foundation, which is also providing technical and coaching support to the Jamaican team.

Shane Pitter, a bobsleigh pilot from Spanish Town, is another key figure in the federation’s next generation. In just his third year in the sport, Pitter placed 21st at the World Championships—a remarkable trajectory that even surprised head coach Todd Hays, who reportedly told Stokes that Pitter “keeps passing tests he’s supposed to fail.” Hays, a former Olympic medalist himself, now leads the programme as national coach and is widely regarded as the most successful active coach in the sport.

The federation has also brought in marketing strategist Neil Fortier, a former executive with the Cleveland Cavaliers, to drive brand growth and international partnerships. Olympic legend Elana Meyers Taylor is also on board in a mentorship capacity, lending her experience and insight to the athletes as they prepare for the biggest stages in winter sport.

Tuesday’s reception also featured acknowledgements of the behind-the-scenes figures powering the movement. Stokes paid tribute to Mike Fennell, whose early support helped relaunch the federation’s vision, as well as Jamaica Olympic Association CEO Ryan Foster and JOA board member Novlet Deans for their continued guidance. Former Olympians like Nimroy Turgott and Jeffroy Davis were also recognised for their contributions to the team’s resurgence.

Sponsors and partners, including the Jamaica Tourist Board, Sports Development Foundation, Fever Tree, Rev Digital Wallet, Hydro Quebec, LightSrtike, North Country Sports Council, New York State Olympic Regional Development Authority, Hilton Curio Hotel Saranc, Jakroo, Backcountry, Choice Hotels, Pyeong Chang Legacy Foundation, SDF, Reve Digital Wallet and The Diff Agency were thanked for their investment in the programme.

Stokes also hailed the contribution of Dr. Matthew Bartels of Montefiore Medical Center and the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, who is providing what he described as “the best medical care available to any sports team, anywhere in the world.”

As the federation builds toward Cortina 2026 and beyond, the mood on Tuesday night was one of conviction. “There’s a tide that has gathered for Jamaica bobsleigh,” said Stokes. “And we intend to ride that tide all the way to the podium.”

With Ashanti Moore on board, Jamaica’s push is no longer just about nostalgia. It’s about medals. And they’re going for them.

Photos - @YardieSports