The 30-year-old, who retired from track and field last year, won a silver medal in the 4x100 metres relay at the 2015 International Association of Athletics Federations World Championships in Beijing.

Zhang, who competed for China at the Beijing 2008 Summer Games, has now switched to winter sports after accepting an invitation from Gou Zhongwen, the director of China's General Administration of Sport.

Sprinters can be a huge asset in sliding sports with their speed often proving crucial during the all-important start.

China lacks pedigree in both skeleton and bobsleigh, however, something the country will be keen to change going into their home Games in Zheng's city in four years time.

The country only competed on the Skeleton World Cup circuit for the first time last year but will be sending Geng Wenqiang to the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympics, which begin in South Korea on Friday (February 9).

"I want to compete in both the Summer and Winter Olympic Games," said Zhang to China Plus.

"It's my dream.

"I had thought about turning to winter sports before my retirement from the track, and I have considered other disciplines before the skeleton.

"If I can book a spot in the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic Games, it will be a tremendous and historic moment, especially since I may compete in both the Summer and Winter Olympic Games in my hometown."

Zhang has already tried out the Pyeongchang 2018 sliding track after abandoning a bid to compete at two-man bobsleigh due to the weight of the sled he would have to push.

"Skeleton needs the athlete to slide down a frozen track while lying face down, which seems dangerous to me," Zhang added.

"As there's no frozen track for skeleton in China yet, I will begin my training together with my team-mates abroad after the Pyeongchang Olympic Games. 

"Right now I'm training with Tsinghua University's track and field team to maintain fitness.

"I wish to become a cornerstone of China's national skeleton team, just as I did in the national track and field team before, I hope to give all to skeleton and contribute my strength to the popularity of winter sports in China, regardless of whether or not I can achieve good results in the future."