Kelly, a mad Essendon supporter, has been selected in the 2012 Australian Paralympic team and will compete in the 50m freestyle, 150m individual medley, 50m breaststroke and 100m freestyle events.
With less than 50 days to go until the team departs, Kelly said he was still pinching himself about his selection.
“I’m just so excited and it’s a massive relief to be honest,” Kelly said.
“I cant believe my dream is about to come true, I’ve always wanted to compete in the London Paralympic Games ever since I took up swimming so for me to be able to make that dream come true is just unbelievable.”
Ahmed and his brother Emmanuelle were raised by the nuns of the Mother Teresa Orphanage in Baghdad. Emmanuelle had been dumped in a box on a street, and Ahmed on the front door of the orphanage. Both were born with severely underdeveloped limbs. They were not expected to live and their parents couldn't cope.
In 1998, the boys met Moira Kelly and two years later she brought them to Australia.
Ahmed found it difficult to walk and had surgery on his legs to allow him to wear prostheses.
He fell in love with AFL football and the Bombers and played for the local team near his home in Kilmore.
Four years ago he turned his attention to swimming and like everything in his life has been able to fight back from adversity and achieve his goal
“Your just so busy trying to live your life and swimming has just been so full on so I haven’t really had time to think about the past much but when I do look back it has been an amazing rollercoaster”
Kelly admits he is not a genuine medal chance in three of his four events but said he is a big chance in the 50m-breaststroke event.
“I’m ranked 10th in the medley and my free style is really slow compared to everyone so I’m really doing that just to give it a go and wear the Australia cap with pride”
“For the 50m breaststroke I am a classification of SB3 so that’s really category three and at the moment I’m sitting fourth so I’m in there with a great chance for a medal.”
Kelly said he would be keeping a close eye on his beloved Bombers from over in London.
“I’ve got the Essendon app downloaded on my phone so I’ll be checking all the scores from over there that’s for sure – I certainly hope we have a convincing finish to the season because I love the Bombers.”
