Kelly looking to oust her big-name rivals in race to London

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Posted: Thursday 12th January 2012 | 11:25

FACING competition from World Championship finalists for Olympic qualification would be enough to dampen most spirits but Rachael Kelly insists she has what it takes to make her London dreams come true.

MAKING A SPLASH: Despite having Jemma Lowe and Ellen Gandy in her way, Rachel Kelly hasn't given up hope of starring at London 2012

Ellen Gandy and Jemma Lowe made the finals of both the 100m and 200m butterfly at last year's World Championships in Shanghai and are favourites to claim the qualification spots when the big show reaches the capital.

However, Gandy, Lowe and Kelly will do battle in the Olympic pool at the British trials in early March with two spots available per event.

And Kelly, who broke the 100m butterfly championship record at the World Junior Swimming Championships in Peru last summer, is adamant she can overcome her illustrious comrades.

"The trials are the main competition for us to concentrate on and we're training really hard trying to do all the right things ahead of March," said the 17-year-old Kelly, speaking at the launch of the Swimathon Weekend - the world's largest fundraising swim - at the Jubilee 2 Swimming Pool in Newcastle-under-Lyme.

"I'm fourth in the country right now and it will be tough to beat the girls who did so well at the World Championships.
"But I'm desperate to be involved in London and that's what I'm training for at the moment.

"It was great to see the British team be so successful at the World Championships, and hopefully we can repeat that when the Olympics come around.

"I can't wait to get my chance to compete in the Olympic pool and hopefully it won't be the last time this year."

Kelly's preparations have been hit by a shoulder injury which has forced her to adapt her training over the last few weeks.

But the fly specialist insists she will be fit and firing by the time of the trials in March.

She added: "I have got an impingement in my shoulder at the moment which has meant I've had to do a lot of kick in training.

"But I've been able to start pulling again recently and hopefully it's behind me.

"I have to look at it positively as it means I've had a bit of a rest."

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