Jamaica wins historic bobsled gold while recovering from Hurricane MelissaCEFR B1
29 Nov 2025
Adapted from Emma Lewis, Global Voices • CC BY 3.0
Photo by Karollyne Videira Hubert, Unsplash
Jamaica is recovering from Hurricane Melissa, which made landfall on October 28 with record-breaking winds. Four weeks after the storm, officials confirmed 45 deaths and 16 people remained missing. Hundreds were still in shelters, and an outbreak of leptospirosis claimed 11 lives.
Utilities companies reported that 75 percent of customers had power and 79 percent had water. The Planning Institute of Jamaica estimated it could take up to five years for the island’s economy to recover.
Amid the crisis, Jamaica’s bobsled teams achieved success at the North American Cup in Whistler on November 22–23. Jamaica won a historic first-ever gold in the four-man event plus two bronze medals. Shane Pitter, aged 26 from Spanish Town, piloted the four-man sled and recorded a strong 4.91-second start. The teams now aim to qualify for the 2026 Winter Games in Milano Cortina.
Difficult words
- recover — To get better after a difficult time.recovering
- significant — Very important or large in amount.
- dedication — Commitment to a task or purpose.
- resilience — The ability to recover quickly from difficulties.
- morale — The confidence and enthusiasm of a group.
- symbol — Something that stands for or represents something else.
- community — A group of people living in the same area.
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- How can sports contribute to a community's recovery after a disaster?
- What role does national pride play in sports achievements?
- Can you think of other examples where sports helped in challenging times?
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