Yes, I Can! - Hardcover

Harris, Devon

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0976408244 ISBN 13: 9780976408246

Publisher: Waterhouse Pub Llc, 2006

Synopsis

Retells the story of the first Jamaican bobsled team as they struggled against adversity to compete in the 1988 Olympic Games in Calgary.

About this title

About the Author

Devon is no stranger to adversity. He was born in poverty and raised in a violent ghetto environment. While most of his peers dropped out of school at an early age, despite ridicule and hardship, Devon remained in school, excelled in track & field events, and graduated with honors. With much persistence, Devon received an appointment to the Officer Corp of the Jamaica Defence Force and was selected to attend the prestigious Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, in England. At the suggestion of his commanding officer, Devon tried out for and was selected to join Jamaica's first Olympic Bobsled Team. Since then he has participated in three Winter Olympic Games, including the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary, Canada about which Walt Disney based the popular movie, Cool Runnings. Devon currently tours the United States as a motivational speaker - often visiting schools and youth groups offering a message of inspiration and hope. His personal philosophy, like that of the Jamaican Bobsled Team, is that he will not permit others to define the limits of his success. Biographical Notes Born Christmas Day, 1964 Raised in Kingston, Jamaica Enlisted in the Jamaica Defence Force, Officer Corps. Graduated from the prestigious Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, England Member of Jamaica's first Olympic Bobsled Team - competed in: 1988 Winter Olympics ‚ Calgary, Canada 1992 Winter Olympics ‚ Albertville, France 1998 Winter Olympics ‚ Nagano, Japan

From the Inside Flap

The story of the original Jamaican Bobsled Team is one about having the courage to pursue your dreams, persevering in the face of all difficulties and defining success in your own terms. When Devon Harris, Michael White,Dudley Stokes and Christian Stokes decided to follow their dreams to the Olympics they knew nothing about their sport and had only a few months to get ready.Ice? They didn't have any. Jamaica is a tropical island famous for sun , sea and surf.Support? They didn't have any. Many people laughed at them and thought they were a joke.Money? They didn't have any They sold T-shirts to raise the funds they needed.Equipment? They didn't have any. They rented an old inferior sled in order to compete.Olympic dreams die hard. With dogged determination and a belief in themselves and each other they did they impossible by qualifying as members of their nation's first Winter Olympic Team. With personal and national pride on the line these underdogs competed fiercely at the 1988 Winter Olympic Games in Calgary, Canada. The awesome foursome did not win a medal but they won the heart of the entire world. They have taught us that we can still succeed against seemingly insurmountable odds if we believe in ourselves and say "Yes, I Can!"

Edition details

• Publisher: Waterhouse Pub Llc
• Publication date: 2006
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0976408244
• ISBN 13: 9780976408246
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 48