SCHOOLBOY Freddie Webb will get a taste of life as an Olympic athlete when he competes in the British Schools’ Modern Biathlon Championships this spring.

The nine-year-old St Francis pupil ran 800 metres and swam 50 metres in the British Modern Biathlon Championships at Solihull at the end of November and came third which means he will now compete at the Olympic Park in March next year.

Freddie, who is in Year 5, said: “The school entered the regional competition and I got chosen to do that along with two other boys from my age group.

“It was quite hard, the standard was quite high. I’ve done cross country but I haven’t done a biathlon before. I’m going to the school’s swim squad practice to help me train.

“All my friends are pleased they said ‘wow, yay, well done.’ One of my friends said if you get to the Olympics I’ll come and watch you.

“I’m quite excited and nervous. I’m hoping to be good.”

On the day Freddie’s mum Fiona, dad Stephen, 13-year-old sister Jemima, and other supporters will be at the Olympic Park to cheer him on.

Mrs Webb, from Hilcott, said: “We’ll all be there and a few of his friends and teachers.

“It will be exciting even just to see the Olympic Park because we didn’t go and watch the Olympics.

“It’s a great experience because he didn’t think he would do so well in the first heats.”

The British Schools’ Modern Biathlon series of competitions are organised to encourage as many children as possible to take part.

Freddie qualified to take part in the Championships by winning the South West heat for his age group held at Millfield School.

The Modern Biathlon consists of a separate swim and run for all age groups with the distances depending on the competitor’s age group.

Competitors’ run and swim times are converted to points, with the final positions being decided by the total number of points achieved overall after both disciplines.

St Francis headteacher David Sibson said: “We are incredibly proud of Freddie’s individual achievement and everyone will be supporting Freddie when he represents St Francis at The Schools’ Championship in March.

“Freddie is thrilled and very excited to have the opportunity to compete at the Olympic Park.”