EXCLUSIVE by David Magilton: OLYMPICS bound Amir Khan will not only be Great Britain's youngest boxer in Athens, he will be the country's only fighter at the Games.

The highly-rated Bury Boxing Club 17-year-old qualified at his second attempt last month, but he will be flying the flag on his own after the rest of the team failed to make it to Athens.

Amir, from Heaton, , has mixed feelings about the fact that he is his country's sole survivor.

He said: "It is disappointing I am the only one who has qualified because there is a good team spirit.

"I have been away with them at six or seven competitions and at several training camps.

"It is a better atmosphere if they are there, so I hope a couple will go with me when I go to Cyprus to acclimatise before the Games.

"On the other hand it is good in a way that I am the only representative because I know I will get all the help I need."

Great Britain coach Ian Irwin said: "It is disappointing that only one boxer has qualified but the rules have been changed to limit the number of boxers and to raise standards.

"Europe, with so many good boxing nations, is a very difficult group to qualify from.

"We have one first reserve and a second reserve, though, so there is a chance Great Britain will have another representative if someone of their weight is injured.

Irwin added: "We are never short of up and coming talent in this country, but we lose so many to the professional game.

"Ricky Hatton, for example, was a junior world champion but turned pro when he was 18."

The former Smithills School pupil, now a Bolton College student, will next see action in a pre-Olympic tournament in Athens later this month.