New 'Shitamachi Bobsleigh' Model For Jamaican Team Unveiled In Tokyo

A new bobsleigh model "developed by about 60 small factory operators in Tokyo for the Jamaica Bobsleigh Federation was unveiled Wednesday in the Japanese capital," according to KYODO. A committee promoting the "Shitamachi Bobsleigh" project showed the new "Shitamachi Special" for two riders, painted green, yellow and black -- the colors of the Jamaican national flag -- and characterized by smaller air resistance compared with earlier models. 2018 PyeongChang Olympic Committee officials said that the vehicle "will undergo test runs starting at the end of October and be used for actual races before improvements are made" in the lead up to the 2018 Games. The committee "aimed to develop a bobsled for the Japanese national team at the 2018 Olympics, but the squad has decided not to use its services" (KYODO, 10/5).