Negotiations are advanced for a motion picture deal about the story of Jamaican Skier Errol Kerr’s participation in the Winter Olympics, which started yesterday in Vancouver, Canada with an official opening ceremony.
Sports Minister Olivia Grange yesterday told Sporting World that there are three possible takers for the movie.
“I’m actively pursuing a motion picture deal… there are two to three potential takers,” said Grange yesterday during a reception hosted by Canada’s High Commissioner to coincide with the Opening Ceremony for the 2010 Winter Games.
“I want to make sure that whatever happens with Errol Kerr, we are apart of that deal and experience, so I’m carefully managing this process,” Grange added.
Kerr, who qualified for the Winter Olympics in December, arrived in Vancouver on Thursday along with his coach Eric Holmer, ahead of the Games.
The Sports Minister indicated that the idea for a movie about Kerr’s experience follows a similar situation with Jamaica’s bobsled team, which participated in the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympic Games.
The four-man bobsled team of Devon Harris, Dudley Stokes, Michael White and Samuel Clayton, failed to finish after losing control of the sled and crashed during one of their four runs. They were immortalized in Walt Disney movie called “Cool Runnings”.
Kerr, who carried Jamaica’s flag during the opening ceremony of the Winter Games in Vancouver last night, will make history as the first Jamaican to compete in Ski Cross event at the Games on Sunday, February 21.
“Certainly I’m far advanced in my discussions with ESPN and there are other possibilities which I can’t announce at this time, but I’m very optimistic and the possibilities are awesome,” Grange said, noting that her ministry is working overtime to seal the deal.
“I am confident that in relation to our culture and sports and the wider creative industry which include the television and film industry, that we will be establishing partnerships,” she added….Nuff Luv JA!!
