Team Jersey to send first ever disabled athlete to Gotland games

Team Jersey will send their first ever disabled athlete to the Nat West Island Games this year.

Alex Buesnel, who is autistic, will be competing in gymnastics.

The 24 year old is a star already on the Special Gymnastics circuit, but the games in Gotland will be his second mainstream competition ever.

It's a daunting prospect for the athlete, but also a chance to begin breaking down barriers for other disabled competitors.

Alex will have just over five months to perfect the required routines for the team events.

For mainstream athletes, that ought to be enough time, but Alex's autism means he finds it a further challenge to adapt from what he's used to.

It also means his level of focus is that much greater than his team mates.

Alex is a seasoned performer on the Special Gymnastics scene, but outside of that his experience has been limited. At the last Nat West Island Games in Jersey, gymnastics didn't feature. Instead the competitors went to Ynys Mon for a special meet.

Winning 2 silver medals there was Alex's first ever taste of mainstream competition and this year, he knows what he's up against.

A few other aspiring competitors from the Jersey Special Gymnastics Club went to try-outs for Team Jersey, but didn't make the cut.

But Paul Patterson, from the Jersey Sports Association for the Disabled, says Alex's selection should inspire anyone who believed their disability could hold them back.