Beijing 2022: Akwasi Frimpong 'powerless' after skeleton rule change

Ghanaian skeleton racer Akwasi Frimpong says he feels «powerless» after rule changes ultimately cost him a place at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics.

The 35-year-old went to the Pyeongchang Games in 2018 after qualifying via the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation's (IBSF) continental quota system, which has since been scrapped.

Frimpong and his coaches have called for a last-minute change from his sport's governing body and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to allow him to compete — but the IOC says it is not possible to change entry rules at the last minute.

However, Frimpong says it is vital to have athletes from every continent taking part at the Games in order to grow the sport.

«People will never understand the uphill battle we as African athletes in winter sports face, just to participate,» Frimpong said.

«The people making the rules must make the changes now or it will be too late. Africa is watching and the world is taking notice.»

The IBSF told the BBC that the continental quota system had been replaced as part of a full revision of its qualification process.

The skeleton is a technical, difficult and high-speed sport that sees competitors sliding head first down an ice track at speeds of up to 80mph.

Frimpong was on course for regular qualification for Beijing until a Covid infection forced him out of competition at the key moment at the start of last month.

In previous years he still might have been able to go to the Games, as every continent was effectively guaranteed some representation.

But IBSF rules for 2022 do not allow that route, leaving Frimpong out in the cold and believing the change has a damaging impact.

«The 2022 Winter Olympic Games quotas don't encourage diversity in winter sport,»