Cool Runnings (1993)

Post date: Aug 27, 2011 12:33:57 AM

This classic Disney sports movie tells the true story of the first-ever Jamaican bobsled team that gave it their all at the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary. The film shot on location in Jamaica and Calgary, at the actual Olympic venues where the events took place (as well as a few fictional ones). What follows is a guide to all of the Calgary locations.

The Jamaicans are introduced to Calgary's winter temperatures at Calgary International Airport.

Irv (John Candy) tries to sign up at team registration, in the small building just to the east of the Olympic Oval on what is now the University of Calgary campus.

The restaurant scene was filmed in the Calgary Tower.

The Jamaican boys have their first experience on ice in the Olympic Oval, home to speed skating and hockey events.

The bobsled course (the same one the real team raced on) is in the Canada Olympic Park in Bowness. Everything looks essentially the same except the start ramp is now covered by a large tent. It should also be noted that the actual reproduction sled used in the film is on display at the nearby Olympic Hall of Fame and Museum.

Building #170 (near the finish gate) is where the team is first introduced to their sled.

They unload the sled in the actual area for doing so at the top of the run.

While in Calgary, the Jamaican team stays at the Relax Inn, now Travelodge at 9206 Macleod Trail South in Calgary. The building has since been remodeled and looks a lot different.

Right across the street at 9615 Macleod Trail South is Ranchman's Cookhouse & Dancehall, the country western bar where Yul (Malik Yoba) and Junior (Rawle D. Lewis) stir up some trouble.

Training scenes of them running in the snow-covered park were filmed in Riverdale Park on the Elbow River.

Irv meets with the winter sports committee in Altius Centre at 500 4th Avenue SW.

The spire sculpture outside the Olympic Oval is where the team sees the torch.

The end of the film culminates with their finish at the end of the bobsled course at the Olympic Park.

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