Breaking Ice: The Man Who Funded Ireland's Winter Olympics With His Own Money

Watch Now: https://youtu.be/wJfMmvGGI_A Breaking Ice (2019) In 1986, a note was left on a boat at Henley Regatta. It asked if anyone wanted to join Ireland's first bobsled team. What followed was one of the most unlikely stories in Irish sporting history. This is the story of Larry Tracy, Pat McDonnell, and the team of rowers, javelin throwers and discus champions who risked their lives on ice tracks across Europe with no budget, no medical support, no mechanics, and borrowed sleds to become Ireland's first-ever Winter Olympians. They earned their place at the 1988 Calgary Olympics, met every qualification criterion, and had their entry withdrawn 10 days before the competition started. They watched the Jamaican bobsled team become world famous while Ireland stayed home. They came back in 1992, qualified for Albertville, beat the Jamaicans, and marched behind the Irish tricolour at the opening ceremony. #WinterOlympics #IrishSport #AgainstTheOdds #Documentary #Olympics #UnderdogStory Welcome to Bingeworthy Documentaries! Bringing you thought-provoking and immersive full-length documentaries on a diverse array of subjects and for free. From captivating human-interest stories to eye-opening medical docs, compelling political narratives to powerful explorations of social injustices, we delve deep into the issues that matter. Our presenter-led and character-driven investigative series offer a unique perspective, shedding light on untold stories and uncovering hidden truths. Subscribe to our channel, and join us on this journey of knowledge, empathy, and understanding as we strive to inform, inspire, and ignite meaningful conversations. Chapters 0:00 – A Note on a Boat: How It All Started 6:23 – Learning to Bobsled: The First Time on Ice 11:29 – Making History: Ireland's First World Championship Entry 17:15 – Calgary 1988: Qualified — Then Banned by Their Own Committee 21:21 – The 1992 Comeback: New Athletes, Same Dream 34:44 – The Run They Deleted: Calgary World Cup and a Stolen Qualification 40:03 – No Budget, No Support, No Problem: The Realities of Being Irish 49:49 – Albertville 1992: Ireland Marches at the Winter Olympics 59:22 – They Beat the Jamaicans — And Nobody Back Home Cared 1:05:05 – The Legacy: Larry Tracy and the Door He Opened for Ireland