Winter Olympics: Skier's family proud of Jamaican flagbearer

Noah Wallace Benjamin AlexanderNoah Wallace
Benjamin Alexander is set to compete for Jamaica in the Alpine skiing event

The mother of an Alpine skier set to become the flagbearer for the Jamaican team at the Winter Olympics said she was "really proud of him".

Benjamin Alexander, of Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, only started taking part in the sport six years ago.

The former DJ will be Jamaica's first Alpine skier when he competes at Xiaohaituo Alpine Skiing Field in Yanqing District, China on Sunday.

His mother, Ann, said: "It's absolutely amazing. It's such an honour."

Alexander, 38, only started skiing after joining friends on a trip to Canada. He fell over 27 times the first occasion he took to the slopes.

Benjamin Alexander: The former DJ hoping to ski for Jamaica at the Winter Olympics

Mrs Alexander said her son had always been outgoing: "Whatever he wants to do, he will achieve it. His family are all really proud of him."

@benji.ski Benjamin Alexander at Burning Man@benji.ski
Benjamin Alexander was a DJ at Burning Man in Nevada for 10 consecutive years, and worked in more than 30 countries
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