Winter Olympics Diary Day 14: Ghana to Whistler via Milton Keynes

/ Vince Shuley / 26 February 2010 / Leave a comment

Spirit of the games - Kwame Nkrumah-Acheampong flies his nation's flag

Vince Shuley has spent the past fortnight amongst the moves and shakers at the top of the medal table. But today he checks in with a man for whom earning the respect of his peers is victory enough.

"While many ski racers learned to ski from the age they could walk, Kwame started skiing just five years ago at an indoor ski centre in Milton Keynes."

As the 2010 games is pulls into its final days the great alpine nations like the Germany, Norway, USA and Canada gauge their successes by how many medals they have won and how many they still hope to win. Today I attended a press conference with a man who will celebrate no victory in competition, but simply hopes to gain the respect of the alpine racing community as a competitor and an athlete.

I'm talking about Kwame Nkrumah-Acheampong, the sole athlete of the Ghana Ski Team. Kwame is from the league of 'snowless' nations, but it will take much more than lack of snow to deter this gifted athlete. While many ski racers will have learned to ski from the age they could walk, Kwame started skiing just five years ago at the Xscape indoor ski centre in Milton Keynes, England.

Known in the international press as 'The Snow Leopard' (a term he initially tried to rid himself of but has now reluctantly accepted), the 36-year-old managed to qualify for the Vancouver Games and will compete in the Men's Slalom on Saturday.

When asked at the press conference what he expects to achieve at the Vancouver Olympics, he replied:

"I expect to ski two good runs and beat some of the snow nations."
Kwame remains modest in his quest to inspire more skiers from his home country of Ghana. He finished the interview, saying:

"In everybody there is greatness and it's up to you whether or not you wish to use your god given gifts"

Best Bet: Men's Short Track Speedskating 500m Gold Medal - Charles Hamelin (CAN) @ [3.35]

Hamelin was Canada's first gold medal hope but had a disappointing run in the 1500m. Both he and team mate Jean Oliver have since set track records in the 500m. Canada is gaining momentum for gold in the last days of the 2010 Winter Olympics.

Tags: Charles Hamelin, Short track betting, Vancouver 2010 betting, Vince Shuley, Winter Olympics Diary