DORSET’S James Lelliott is refusing to make any bold predictions at this week’s European Youth Olympic Festival in Tampere.

Lelliott, who will be competing in the long jump heats today, is one of 62 British youngsters in Finland, as Team GB bid to improve on the 23 medals – nine of which were gold – won last time out in Belgrade in 2007.

The 16-year-old Millfield School pupil, who was born and lives in Poole, is coached by Brian Kemp at Bournemouth Athletics Club.

Lelliott has a season’s best leap of 7.13m recorded at the Bournemouth AC Spring Open back in April and the British youngster, who came fourth in the World Schools Cup in Estonia earlier this year, is convinced more of the same will see him challenging for medals in Finland.

“I don’t really go into competitions aiming for something – it will purely be a case of going out and doing the best that I can,” said Lelliott.

“If that’s enough, then I’d like to think that I would be in with a shot of a medal but we’ll just wait and see really.

“I’m looking forward to being part of a multi-sport event – it’ll be great to see what the other events are like.

“I want to use this as a stepping stone for bigger competitions in the future.”

Lelliott has seen his long jump personal best dramatically improve in 2009, having started the year with a best leap of just 6.60m 12 months earlier.

“The PB’s have just kept coming and coming for me this year, which is just a dream come true for me to be honest – I can’t believe I’ve got a GB vest,” he added.

Meanwhile, Lychett Minster School pupil Andrew Elkins, who trains in Bournemouth but competes for the Shaftesbury Barnet Harriers, will be going for gold in the hammer, with qualifying starting tomorrow.

  • The British Olympic Association selects, runs and manages Team GB at the summer, winter and youth Olympic Games. It promotes the Olympic Movement, enhances athlete |success and develops Olympic sports in the UK – www.olympics.org.uk.