Flavor Flav, at 66 years old, experienced the thrill of sliding at 106 kilometers per hour, sparking his newfound passion for the sport. The iconic Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, a founding member of Public Enemy and reality show personality, has joined forces with the United States bobsled and skeleton program as their official hype man. Following his recent time spent with the teams at the 2002 Olympic track in Utah, Flav is gearing up to support them at the upcoming Milan-Cortina Olympics in February.
Expressing his excitement, Flav remarked, “The partnership is a blessing, cooler than Cool Runnings – it’s Coolest Runnings.” During his recent visit, Flav not only rode a bobsled down the Park City track but also expressed interest in trying out skeleton, a high-speed headfirst sliding sport reaching speeds over 129 km/h for elite athletes.
While team officials initially suggested Flav start from a lower point on the track for safety, his determination led him to opt for a higher starting point, significantly elevating the challenge. Ultimately, on his second run, he achieved a speed of 108 km/h, showcasing exceptional skill for a newcomer to the sport.
U.S. skeleton athlete Dan Barefoot praised Flav’s adventurous spirit, highlighting his natural talent and ease in navigating the sport. Flav’s involvement in sports extends beyond sliding, with past appearances at events like the Mayo Bowl and Super Bowl weeks, showing his ongoing support for athletes and teams.
Excitement surrounds Flav’s collaboration with the bobsled and skeleton program, with team members expressing admiration for his energy and confidence. Many team members have even exchanged personal contacts with Flav and enjoyed a Maroon 5 concert together. Post-Olympics, Flav plans to return to Park City for a slider camp, further solidifying his commitment to the sport.
USA Bobsled and Skeleton CEO Aron McGuire welcomed Flav as an official sponsor and hype man, emphasizing his genuine enthusiasm for sports and the team. McGuire commended Flav for embodying the same dedication and pride as the athletes, expressing eagerness for Flav to bring his infectious enthusiasm to the team and fans nationwide.