A BUDDING all round athlete has taken her first steps to becoming an Olympic competitor at future games.

Nine-year-old Kari Dougall is already showing promise in the multi-sport events triathlon and biathlon.

Triathlon was welcomed as a trial event at the Sydney Games in 2000, but is now a firmly established Olympic sport.

Although London will not be calling for Kari, who will be aged only 11 in 2012, and she may still be too young to fly to Rio for the 2016 games, she could be in the running to appear at the 2020 Olympiad.

Despite being younger than many of her fellow competitors, Kari finished in overall second spot in the Northern England Triathlon.

At her age category it involved her competing in shooting, swimming and running sections at the recent event, in Northumberland.

She has also secured qualification for the forthcoming British Schools’ Modern Biathlon Championships, in London.

The sporty Year Five pupil at The Chorister School, in Durham, said she is torn between her two specialities.

"I really like triathlon and biathlon, but I like triathlon best because it’s more fun.

"I just want to keep going and be in the Olympics one day."

Acting head teacher Linda Lawrence said the school community is keenly following Kari’s progress.

"It’s tremendously exciting for everyone.

"Obviously for Kari, because she has worked so hard to get this far, but also for all of us at Choristers who are cheering her on."

Kari, from Bishop Middleham, County Durham, is busy preparing for the biathlon championship, which take place at the National Sports Centre, at Crystal Palace, on March 21.