The Lion and the Rabbit: The Olympic Journey of Akwasi Frimpong

What makes an Olympian? Could it be talent? Perhaps dedication? Swiss athletics brand “On” contends that an Olympian is defined by their resilience. Akwasi Frimpong is the first athlete from Ghana to compete in the sport of skeleton. For those unfamiliar with the Winter Olympics, skeleton is the sport where a single athlete rides a bobsled down an icy tunnel face first. On discovered Frimpong and were touched by his long and storied journey to the Olympics, and celebrated it in their ad “Black Ice”.

“Black Ice” follows Akwasi Frimpong from his youth as a runner, where he compared his drive to move forward as a rabbit fleeing from a lion. The ad is constructed as a blend between real life and a graphic novel, framing Frimpong’s life as a hero’s origin story. As he finds his purpose, Frimpong decides that he must run towards something, instead of away. In spirit, he becomes the lion. The stylized ad spends the majority of its runtime focused on the athlete instead of the brand, ultimately promoting itself through association. The result is an inspiring piece that empowers the viewer and declares that through grit and determination, you can accomplish anything.