Joel Fearon: From pizza delivery man to Winter Olympics hope

Like many athletes, Veron’s career was affected by traumatic injuries at key moments.

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

“After that, I almost retired from athletics, and I still did some things, but it wasn’t the same,” he said.

“It took two years out of my sports career.”

But while that pain eased over time as he recovered, what happened to his family next was difficult to put into words.

In 2023, his sister, Natasha Moraes, was murdered.

Feeling afraid and suffering from insomnia, Veron retired from all sports.

“It’s been difficult for all of us. We’re all still dealing with it in our own way,” he said.

“I didn’t think I would ever be able to exercise again. I already suffered from anxiety.

“I was afraid to leave my family alone.”

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

But he didn’t necessarily expect to push a sled at another Winter Olympics.

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

“But we ended up riding the sled. I’ve done six races and won six, so I’m very lucky.”

“I think they’ll ask me to pay a few times before I’m done,” he joked.

Veron’s father is Jamaican, while his maternal grandparents are also from the Caribbean island.

He added: “My father was very proud. I had never seen him so enthusiastic about sports before.”

“I didn’t know these guys a year ago, and they’re all like my brothers, and I’m more excited for them to race than I am to race myself.

“Maybe I’ll play the father. And seeing how much they’ve excelled, it’s really exciting for me to watch them and wonder where it could go.”