IN THE Dixon family, the Winter Olympic flame has always burned brightly and biathlete Scott insists he cannot wait to carry the torch on at the European Youth Olympic Festival next week.

The 16-year-old Scot will embark on his Olympic odyssey in Liberec, Czech Republic having been selected as one of 15 Brits to take part in the biennial tournament that will see more than 1500 athletes from 46 nations compete.

It might be Dixon’s first Olympic step but he can call on the wisdom of his father, Michael, who became only the seventh athlete in history to compete at six Winter Olympics.

And as daunting as stepping onto the European stage is, the Aviemore biathlete has grand plans to emulate his dad – a three-time Winter Olympic flag-bearer.

“It’d be absolutely brilliant to do what my dad has done,” said Dixon junior.

“My ultimate goal eventually is to get the highest British result at a Winter Olympics – but I’d love to beat my Dad’s results too.

“I’ve raced against the best seniors in this country but never against the best from Europe so this is a new challenge.

“We’ve had heaps of snow here so we’ve been out skiing through the forests, and it’s all come at an ideal time for our preparations.

“I’d be delighted to finish in the top 20, of course I’d be chuffed to win the whole thing, but I just can’t wait to go out there and do the best I can.

“It’ll be such a different experience regardless of how it goes and it’ll be great to represent Great Britain for the first time.”

Meanwhile, Dixon will be joined in the biathlon ranks by fellow Brit and Aviemore Nordic skier Calum Irvine, who scooped under-21 biathlon gold at the British Championships at the end of January.

 “I am really looking forward to EYOWF because I am sure it is going to be a really good event,” said 16-year-old Irvine, who will also compete in the cross-country competition.

“I had some good results at the British Championships and that gives me some confidence.  It is good to have that rivalry with Scott and hopefully that can help us do well out in Liberec.

“It is definitely going to be a hard event though because traditionally the British are not that good at biathlon.  It is mainly the Scandinavian countries and Germany and Austria who are the best in our sport so it will be difficult to go out there and get on the podium.

“I have taken some confidence from my results at the British Championships and one of the races out in Liberec is over the same distance so hopefully I can do well.”

Also taking part in the cross-country skiing events will be Huntly ace Ruaridh Newman, who is only too quick to acknowledge it is the Scandinavian athletes he fears most.

The 17-year-old will have a busy week in Liberec, competing in the 1.5km, 7.5km and 10km races, and admits he has only got eyes for a top-20 finish.

 “I am really excited to be going out to Czech Republic because I think it will be a great event,” said Newman.

“My ultimate goal would be to get into the top 20, it would be amazing if I could do that.

“Obviously to win it would be the best thing but I think the top 20 is realistic and I’d love to be able to do that.

“In my sport the Scandinavian nations are really strong and even though I don’t know who is going to be competing yet, I know they will be the people that I have to beat.”

The BOA prepares the ‘Best of British’ at the summer, winter and youth Olympics. It supports Team GB and National Governing Bodies to enhance Olympic success and is responsible for championing the Olympic values. www.olympics.org.uk  

By Sam Green, Sportsbeat