Former Olympian and celebrated skeleton coach Zach Lund is making a powerful return to skeleton racing, to coach Ghana’s first skeleton Olympian, Akwasi Frimpong, as he embarks on a historic journey to qualify for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy. Together, they aim to inspire a global audience.
“This partnership is about so much more than sport,” said Lund. “Akwasi’s story embodies the true spirit of the Olympics: perseverance, hope, and the ability to inspire the world. Supporting him isn’t just about chasing medals, it’s about amplifying a story that deserves to be told.”
Lund is a former American skeleton racer and Olympian who over his illustrious career won countless World Cup and World Championship medals. For Lund, this season is deeply personal.
The last time the Winter Olympics were held in Italy, in 2006, he faced heartbreak when he was disqualified on the day of the Opening Ceremonies due to a banned substance in a hair restoration medication, a substance later removed from the banned list. Despite the setback, Lund fought his way back to compete in the 2010 Vancouver Games, finishing fifth.
He also became the Overall World Cup Champion in 2007. After retiring in 2010, he transitioned into coaching, helping lead Team USA until 2018. Lund is also the High-Performance Director of the Ghana Bobsled and Skeleton Federation and a passionate advocate for clean sport and youth mentorship.
“Now, nearly 20 years later, I have the chance to return to Italy in a very different way,” Lund shared. “This time, I come not as an athlete, but as a coach, to help someone else rise, inspire, and show the world what’s possible. It’s a full-circle moment, turning heartbreak into hope and using my lessons to fuel someone else’s dream.”
For Frimpong, the journey has been equally challenging. After becoming Ghana’s first skeleton Olympian at the 2018 PyeongChang Games, he faced a devastating blow in 2022 when a positive COVID-19 test derailed his qualification for the Beijing Olympics.
Now, at 39 years old, Frimpong is determined to make history once again by becoming the first African and Black male athlete to qualify for two Winter Olympics in the sport of skeleton.
Frimpong is a former Dutch junior sprint champion, he is also a philanthropist and motivational speaker. Through his Hope Of A Billion Foundation, he empowers underserved communities to pursue their dreams through sports, education, and business opportunities.
“This journey is about showing the world that no matter where you come from or what you’ve faced, the Olympic spirit can lift us all higher,” said Frimpong. “With Zach’s guidance, I’m ready to finish what we started and inspire the next generation to dream big.”
A mission beyond medals
Lund and Frimpong’s partnership is not new. In 2018, while coaching Team USA, Lund played a pivotal role in helping Frimpong qualify for his first Olympics. In 2020, Lund coached Frimpong to become the first African athlete to win an elite skeleton race, sanctioned by USABS in Park City, Utah.
Then in 2019, Lund helped propel him from 99th to 67th in the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation world rankings. Although Lund stepped away from full-time coaching due to funding challenges, he remained a mentor to Frimpong. Now, the duo is reuniting to make history.
Their mission goes beyond medals. Together, they aim to inspire underrepresented communities, particularly in Africa, to believe in the power of perseverance and teamwork. Frimpong’s Hope Of A Billion Foundation, co-founded with his wife Erica, aligns perfectly with this vision, empowering underserved communities through sports, education, and business opportunities.
If Frimpong qualifies for the 2026 Winter Olympics, he will break barriers as the first African and Black male athlete to compete twice in skeleton, a sport historically dominated by Western nations. With Lund’s coaching, Frimpong also has the potential to achieve what no African athlete has done before, reach the finals in a Winter Olympic event.
“This is bigger than sport,” said Lund. “It’s about showing the world what’s possible when we work together, believe in each other, and never give up.”
As Lund and Frimpong prepare for the 2026 Winter Olympics, they invite the world to follow their journey and be inspired to chase their own dreams, no matter the obstacles. For media inquiries or to support their mission, please contact team@frimpong.com.
Source: Team Frimpong
Oral Ofori is Founder and Publisher at www.TheAfricanDream.net, a digital storyteller and producer, and also an information and research consultant.
