- Will find out this week whether he achieves the Olympic dream during competitions
- He must improve his personal best times to earn a spot in the squad
- Delivered an emotional final message to his supporters
Cody Simpson has released his latest album just days ahead of his Olympic qualifying trials, as the pop star turned swimmer embarks on the biggest week of his life.
The 27-year-old will compete in the Australian swimming trials this week, hoping to secure a place in the Australian team for the Olympics.
In 2019, he stunned the music scene by announcing his return to competitive swimming.
Although he missed out on selection for the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, he made the selection for the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
There he won gold in the 4 x 100 meter freestyle relay team and silver in the 4 x 100 meter medley relay. However, the Olympic Games remain his ultimate goal.
To achieve this dream, Simpson must reach a final and secure a top finish in his three events.
It’s all on the line for Cody Simpson this week at the Olympic Games National Trials
Simpson put his music career on hold to realize his Olympic dream with the national swimming team
Simpson will receive strong support from his partner Emma McKeon ahead of the Paris Games
In a heartfelt post on social media, he reflected on his journey back to the pool.
“As I approach the Australian Olympic Trials this week, I reflect on the amazing years I have had pursuing my dreams and desires in this sport,” Simpson wrote on Instagram.
‘It seems like just yesterday, 2020, when I went back into the water raw and extremely unfit, having not swam or competed since childhood.
“Looking back on how this whole thing went is beyond me. I gave everything during training in the morning and evening to see what I could get out of myself; I burned every boat I could in the chase.”
‘The physical and mental expansion that swimming has now brought me is enormous. Along with all the dreams achieved while swimming for Australia.
“I’ve laid it all out over the last six months and I’m really excited to race this week and see what I can do.”
‘Thank you to everyone who supported me during my journey. I do all this for the 12 year old child in me. He would be so happy if he knew everything that happened. I think he does because he is me! I’ll see you on the other side!’
The pop star turned swimmer will have to break his personal best times to achieve his Olympic dream
Simpson made a raw and emotional post to his supporters on the social media platform Instagram ahead of the trials
If Simpson fails to make the Australian squad this week, his swimming career is likely over
Simpson will compete in the 50-meter and 100-meter freestyle, and the 100-meter butterfly. His results at the Australian Open championships in April saw him finish fourth in the butterfly and ninth in the freestyle.
In the 100-meter butterfly, Simpson finished fourth in a time of 52.32 seconds.
It is expected that Simpson will have to swim at least 0.5 seconds faster than his current personal best to challenge for second position alongside Shaun Champion, Ben Armbruster and Australian champion Kyle Chalmers.
National champion Matt Temple is expected to win the event.
For the 100-meter freestyle, Simpson must finish in the top six to be selected as a heat swimmer in the team relays.
Once again he must improve his personal record to enter the top six.
Simpson’s campaign begins on Wednesday with the 50m freestyle, followed by the 100m freestyle on Thursday and the 100m butterfly on Saturday.