GB’s bobsleigh women hope for Olympics funding

GREAT Britain’s Mica McNeill and Mica Moore hope that their eighth-place finish in the women’s bobsleigh final has convinced the sport’s national body to fund them for the next Olympics.

The pair, who were as high as sixth fastest, produced the best ever result by a British women’s team.

After funding was withdrawn in 2017, a crowdfunding initiative raised £40,000 to help them compete at the Games.

“I hope we don’t have to ask the people for funding now,” said pilot McNeill.

The British Bobsleigh and Skeleton Association had withdrawn funding for the women’s team and chose instead to continue supporting three men’s teams because it deemed them more likely to win honours.

McNeill added: “Five months ago we didn’t even know whether we would be here. Just to get here is an achievement in itself. It has been incredible. We will be back in four years’ time.”

Brakewoman Mica Moore added: “This has been the cherry on top. We have enjoyed it so much. We were told we weren’t medal potential so it was nice to show [when they were in sixth place] who we are.”

Germany duo Mariama Jamanka and Lisa Buckwitz recorded a total time of three minutes 22.45 seconds to win the title by 0.07 seconds from USA’s Elana Meyers Taylor and Lauren Gibbs. Canada’s Kaillie Humphries and Phylicia George claimed bronze.