The governing body, who have produced the last two Olympic skeleton champions through such schemes, are looking for men who meet a desired standard of between 10.20 and 10.50 seconds for 100 metres, and women who can run between 11.30 and 11.50.

Male long jumpers who can leap seven metres, or female ones who can jump six metres, are also sought.

Other standards include full squats of 200kg for men and 140kg for women, and power clean 140kg or 100kg.

"We use a battery of tests that identify athletes’ performance profiles specific to bobsleigh and, if you meet the criteria below, we want to hear from you," said a message posted on the body's website.

"You never know, it could be your first step to Winter Olympic glory."

Attracting athletes from other sports has been a key strategy in bobsleigh in recent times, particularly within the British team.

Many sprinters have made the switch, including 2007 World Championship relay medallist Craig Pickering, who was selected for the Sochi 2014 squad before withdrawing due to a back injury.

Vancouver 2010 Olympic skeleton champion Amy Williams started-out as a 400m runner, while Sochi 2014 winner Lizzy Yarnold was initially a heptathlete. 

Jasmin Sawyers, a bobsleigh medallist at the Innsbruck 2012 Winter Youth Olympic Games, made the opposite switch and last week qualified for the British Olympic long jump team at Rio 2016.

Outside Britain, American sprinter Lauryn Williams won Olympic relay gold at London 2012, before partnering Elena Meyers-Taylor to a second-place finish at the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics.

Those who meet the latest standards are urged to complete a form, accessible here, and email it to the BBSA here.