Funds stretched for gymnast
GEELONG gymnast Patrick Forssman will reach a career pinnacle when he represents Australia at next year’s Special Olympic World Games.
Forssman, 23, took up the sport more than 10 years ago at Grovedale’s Aerosport Allstars, and has made a profound impact at national level over the past three years, making it impossible for Australian se- lectors to leave him out of the squad for the Abu Dhabi multisport event.
“He’s been to three national games but this is the first time he’s been selected (for a world event),” mum Jenny Forssman said.
“He won gold at his first nationals on vault, his second nationals he won gold on pommel and this year he won pommel, parallel bars and the overall.
“It’s just the honour of being able to do it.”
Mrs Forssman said family life had revolved around gymnastics for the past decade.
“He does it every Saturday morning,” she said.
“It’s been a part of our life for so long. His sister used to do gym and he’d be sitting there (watching). They had a program for kids for the Special Olympics and he wanted to try it.”
But Forssman, who has an intellectual disability, is searching for some sponsorship to get him to the United Arab Emirates.
“For Patrick to go, it’s costing $7000,” Mrs Forssman said.
“He’s on a disability pension, so he is paying it out of his money, but if anyone would like to donate that would be nice.”