TEENAGER Amir Khan is moving closer to his Olympic dream after British boxing officials agreed to consider him for this summer's Athens Games.

The Amateur Boxing Association is looking to put forward the 17-year-old Bolton College student for the European Olympic qualifiers in the spring if he convinces officials he can make the step up to senior level.

Amir is too young to box domestically at senior level under ABA rules, which require fighters to be aged at least 18.

But the Heaton lightweight boxer is old enough to box at senior international level.

ABA bosses are concerned about pitching Amir into the Olympic qualifiers -- for which he is now eligible -- without enough senior fighting experience.

But they have agreed to look at ways of getting the former Smithills School pupil into Olympic contention.

And the ABA appears to be keen to get Amir into the British team if he can prove his worth -- with one leading director describing the teenager as being more talented than former Olympic champion Audley Harrison.

Amir, who fights for Bury Amateur Boxing Club, could be taking on opponents up to twice his age in the qualifiers for the Games.

He would have to win a medal in one of the three planned qualifying competitions in order to book a place in Athens.

But his father Shajaad said: "We do understand that he would be giving away a lot in terms of age. But we would have every confidence in him, and he would have every confidence in himself."

Keith Walters, chairman of selectors for ABA (England), said: "We are seriously looking at the Amir Khan situation with regard to the Olympic qualifiers, with the boxer's safety being our first concern."

Fellow England selector Paul King, who is a director of the ABA, said: "In all the years I've been involved in amateur boxing, Amir is the most talented boxer I have seen in England colours, and that includes Audley Harrison."

Amir picked up a host of titles and awards during 2003. He is the British and European junior champion, and also won the Best Cadet Award for the most impressive young amateur at the Annual British Boxing Awards in October.