THE LONDON Olympics might have come too soon for Xavier Vrigneau, but the Blandford modern pentathlete is still setting his sights on showing the rest of the world what he is made of this year.

While athletes up and down the country are busy preparing themselves to compete on the biggest stage of them all at London 2012, at just 18, Vrigneau knows he will have to wait for his Olympic run out.

But this doesn’t mean that 2012 is a wasted year for Millfield School pupil Vrigneau – far from it – with September’s Youth World Championships taking place in Budapest.

And with selection kick-starting at Hartpury College next month, Vrigneau is intent to hit the ground running, keeping his own Olympic ambitions on the backburner.

“Although London 2012 is a bit too soon for me, this year is still a big year and there is still plenty going on,” he said.

“There are the under-18 European and World Championships this year so there is still plenty to keep me occupied.

“If I can do my best at the selection trials then I am pretty sure that I will make the team. You can never know but I am confident. I have never been to a big international competition like those before so it would be good to do it at this young age so that it can help me in the future.

“My main aim is to make it to the Rio Olympics in 2016, so the quicker I can make it to a big international competition the better.”

Despite admitting that at his age London 2012 has come too soon, Vrigneau won’t miss out completely after being selected to carry the Olympic Torch.

And Vrigneau, who will strut his stuff with the Flame on July 12 through Winterborne Whitechurch, insists he has to pinch himself ahead of the big day.

“It is amazing to think that I will be carrying the Torch and I am really happy that I have been given the chance – it is a great opportunity,” he added. “I never expected to be a part of London 2012 because of my age and it is amazing that I will be.”

* As the only National Presenting Partner of the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay, Lloyds TSB is bringing the excitement of the Games and Olympic Flame closer to you. Find out what we’re doing in your community and who is carrying the Flame at lloydstsb.com/carrytheflame