In lieu of the shocking news that all four members of the Jamaican men’s 4X100m relay team have been stripped of their 2008 Olympic gold medals last week, I’m honoring the Caribbean country-island by catching a buzz on Red Stripe.
The Red Stripe recipe was first brewed in 1928. This pale lager, manufactured under the Jamaican-based company, Desnoes & Geddes, is most notable in the U.S. for its stubby unique brown bottling.
When import production began in 1985, Red Stripe’s initial marketing strategy was to imitate the success of Heineken by packaging its beer in standard green 12 oz. bottles. This plan failed miserably.
As American beer consumers became more and more exposed to Red Stripe’s squat brown bottling through Jamaican travels, the demand for the distinctive containers skyrocketed. A new marketing decision was made and the rest is history for the Red Stripe brand.
Last week, the International Olympic Committee stripped the 2008 Jamaican relay team of their gold medals after an investigation uncovered that teammate Nesta Carter tested positive for a controlled substance.
Also a member of this relay team, famed track star, Usain Bolt. Tied for the most gold medals by a track athlete in Olympic history with nine, Bolt will no longer be a triple-triple Olympic gold medalist as a result of this punishment.
I strongly disagree with the IOC’s verdict. The entire relay team should not be dis-medaled for the selfish actions of one of its members. Stripping the other three athletes of their gold medals and tarnishing Usain Bolt’s name as arguably the best track athlete in Olympic history is uncalled for and unfair.
Here’s to you, Usain Bolt and other two relay members. Fuck the IOC. Enjoy an ice cold Red Stripe and celebrate your amazing accomplishments with pride. The three of you are still gold medalists in my eyes.
Until next week, cheers!