A 12-year-old British boy, tipped as a future Olympic diving champion, will compete in Australia next year even though officially he is too young.

Pint-sized Thomas Daley has been granted permission to take part in the Australian Youth Olympic Festival (AYOF) in Sydney after an approach from the British Olympic Association (BOA).

The minimum age in diving at the festival is officially 14 but the AOC granted Thomas special dispensation after his sport and the British Olympic Association made a formal request in writing.

“The BOA fully supports the governing body in making this request as Thomas could well qualify for Beijing on the basis of his current progress and of course be in prime position for London 2012. The AYOF is an ideal multi-sport environment within which he can experience a taste of the Olympic Games atmosphere and standards and we hope that you will look favourably on this request” said spokesperson Sarah Johns.

The official festival athlete's ages normally range from 14-19. The AOC has allowed some 13- year-old gymnasts to compete in the past but a 12-year-old is breaking new ground.

“Given his results we could hardly refuse the request” said AOC Secretary General Craig Phillips.

”The AYOF motto is see tomorrow’s Olympians today, and Thomas is certainly heading that way” he said.

Thomas will be 12 years and 8 months when he competes at the Sydney Aquatic Centre.

At the age of ten he was a British junior champion and beating kids four years older. He now attends the English Institute of Sport (EIS) which is modelled on the AIS in Canberra.

Britain is spending millions of pounds preparing their athletes for the London Olympics in 2012.

Under a special Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme (TASS) Thomas will receive £10,000 pounds a year (approx $30,000) from the British Government.

He is just one of many young athletes being fast-tracked to Olympic gold in 2012 under the scheme.

Britain has declared they will displace Australia from fourth place on the overall medal tally at the London Games. As part of their bold development plan they are sending 150 athletes to the AYOF, their largest contingent ever.

The event was introduced by the AOC back in 2001. The fourth Festival will take place in Sydney from 17-21 January 2007. Over two thousand athletes and officials from twenty three countries will compete in sixteen sports.

China is sending 294 athletes for the five-day competition as they develop young talent for their Olympics in 2008.

AOC