Joel Fearon: From pizza delivery man to Winter Olympic hopeful

Like many athletes, Fearon’s career has been affected by painful injuries at crucial moments.

He has wires in his lower leg bones holding them together after a serious incident while running for the British relay team.

“I semi-retired from athletics after that, I still went and did a few things but it wasn’t the same,” he said.

“It took up a good two years of my sports career.”

But although the pain eased over time as he healed, what affected his family next was difficult to put into words.

In 2023, her sister Natasha Morais was killed.

Feeling scared and suffering from insomnia, Fearon quit all sports.

“It’s been hard for all of us. We’re all still dealing with this in our own ways,” he said.

“I didn’t think I would ever be able to exercise again. I was really struggling with anxiety.

“I started to be afraid of leaving my family alone.”

Coming out of retirement to represent Jamaica gave Fearon a new focus and brought joy to a grieving family.

But he certainly wasn’t expecting to be pushing the luge at another Winter Olympics.

“It was an athlete and coach role, I could do all the work on the bobsleigh, even just the organizational work,” said Fearon, who met rapper Snoop Dogg while training in Italy.

“But we finally managed to get into the sled. I did six races and won six races, so I’m a pretty good good luck charm.”

“I think they’re going to give me a few more shoves before I’m done,” he joked.

Fearon’s father is Jamaican, and his maternal grandparents are from the Caribbean island.

“My dad was so proud. I’ve never seen him excited about sports before,” he added.

“I didn’t even know these guys a year ago and they’re all like brothers to me, I’m more excited about their racing than my own racing.”

“I’m probably taking on a father role. Seeing how successful they are, it’s really exciting for me to watch and wonder where this could go.”