Ghanaian skeleton racer Akwasi Frimpong says he feels like Africans “don’t belong” at the Winter Olympics here after seeing the number of athletes representing the continent at the Games halved in the space of four years.
Frimpong was among a record-breaking group of 12 athletes from eight African nations to compete at Pyeongchang 2018.
But the figure has been cut to six for Beijing 2022, with Frimpong missing out after the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (IBSF) ditched continental quota spots for the Games.
Frimpong told insidethegames that he felt the IBSF and International Olympic Committee (IOC) had given sliding sports a platform to kick on in Africa after Pyeongchang 2018 but claims winter sports are now “moving backwards”.
“Right now we feel like we don’t belong,” said Frimpong.
“As an African athlete what’s the message?
“Is the message that we are not good enough?
“Of course there is a gap between being competitive compared to the guy who is going to win the gold medal.
“I believe that we are coming here with the idea of the Olympic spirit, but right now I am kind of doubting that a little.
“What does the Olympics really stand for?
“Does it stand for inclusion?
“We are not asking for somebody to compete who just showed up yesterday with his sled in his arms.
“There are enough talented African athletes out there that are able and willing to compete.
“We are asking for all winter sports, not just sliding sports, to be able to include the continental representation but come up with the rule of qualification standard.”
While there are no African athletes competing in skeleton, bobsleigh or luge, with Frimpong missing out on qualifying, six have qualified in skiing.
They are Shannon-Ogbnai Abeda of Eritrea, Carlos Mäder of Ghana, Mialitiana Clerc of Madagascar, Moroccans Abderrahim Kemmissa and Yassine Aouich – all Alpine skiers – and Samuel Ikpefan of Nigeria, who is due to compete in cross-country.
Frimpong called for the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to give African athletes a “seat at the table” to discuss a way to increase the number of participants prior to Milan Cortina 2026.
“There should be a conversation between the IOC, International Federations and maybe developing African athletes in winter sport to talk about what is needed to be able to move forward,” said the 35-year-old.
“Are we not good enough to be there?
“We are definitely behind when it comes winter sport.
“There is no lack of ambition and want from us to represent our countries and spend time in the cold.
“Of course we all want to go to the Olympics, but we also want to be included.”
