KINGSTON, Jamaica –- The original coach of the Jamaican bobsled team and two-time Olympic bobsledder for the United States of America (USA), Howard Siler is dead.
Siler, who was 69, died last Tuesday, July 8 at his home in Clermont, Florida, ONLINE OBSERVER has learnt.
He competed as a US bobsledder in the 1972 and 1980 Olympics with a top finish of fifth.
Siler’s work with the Jamaican team inspired the movie ‘Cool Runnings’ when Jamaica first entered bobsledding at the 1988 Calgary Olympics.
The USA Bobsled and Skeleton Federation announced the unfortunate news on their Facebook page.
“It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Howard B. Siler, Jr, 69, of Clermont, FL. Howard passed away on Tuesday, July 8, 2014 at his home surrounded by loving family. Howard was the original coach of the Jamaican Bobsled Team, and John Candy played Siler in the Disney movie “Cool Runnings.” He was a nine-time member of the USA National Bobsled Team, a three-time Olympian and a Team USA coach. We send our deepest condolences to the Clermont family during this difficult time.”
