Nicole Georges, Contributor
STOKES
WHEN FOUR-TIME Olympian Chris Stokes speaks to kids about the value of "thinking outside the box", he is speaking from personal experience. The former athlete was the brakeman on Jamaica's first ever bobsled team which made its Olympic debut at the 1988 Calgary Winter Games. The team's historic debut was recreated in the Walt Disney film, Cool Runnings, in 1993.
Currently, he is the senior vice-president of business development at Victoria Mutual Building Society based in Kingston. Stokes often uses his public appearances on behalf of VMBS to encourage young persons to pursue their
destiny.
PUBLIC APPEARANCES
He was in Toronto for a week-long visit that includes public appearances, motivational speeches and VMBS site visits.
Stokes referred to his bobsled experience as an example of goal setting. "I try to get people to understand that they do not have to be confined in their ambitions because of their environment or circumstances. Yes, it's difficult and achieving a dream seems im
possible, but with the right attitude and approach, you open your mind to tremendous possibilities."
He said Cool Runnings accurately captures the spirit of determination of his team. "When we started as a team, there was nothing to indicate we could be successful. It is important to surround yourself with strong positive people or role models. We need to focus on the effort, persistence, failures and despair that pave the way to success."
