Ghana will not have a representative at this year’s World Athletics Championship in Beijing, China, after two of the country’s topmost athletes were denied visas by the Chinese Embassy.

The two United State-based athletes, Janet Amponsah and Alex Amankwaah failed to secure the valid travelling documents for the championships.

The talented female athlete is specialized in sprint events and represented Ghana at the 2013 Championship.

Below is a statement by the Ghana Athletics Associations explaining the situation

Due to difficulties getting a Chinese visa for Alex Amankwah and Janet Amponsah, they will not participate in the upcoming World Championships in Beijing, China.

Amponsah and Amankwah, both new national record holders, sent their visa applications to the Chinese Embassy in Washington DC. Their applications were sent off after receiving an official invitation letter from the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) on August 5.

Approximately two weeks later, their passports were returned by the Chinese Embassy in Washington DC indicating their visa applications had been denied.

Because the Ghana Athletics Association President was already in China for the IAAF Quadrennial Congress, he managed to get the LOC, working with Chinese immigration and IAAF, to issue a visa-upon-arrival letter.

However, United Airlines declined to let them board their flight to China using the visa-on-arrival document