- The swimming tests for the Paris Olympic Games will be held in June
- Simpson is far behind his rivals and needs to improve
- He will not enter into retirement talks until the decision is official
Cody Simpson has given a strange explanation for why he cannot fail in his attempt to reach the Paris Olympic Games and make his lifelong sporting dream come true.
An intense three-month training block will build up to the Olympic trials in June, and Simpson is one second behind his competition.
That was the metric delivered at the Australian Swimming Championships on the Gold Coast last weekend, where Simpson finished fourth in his favorite event, the 100m butterfly.
The 24-year-old partner of Australian superfish Emma McKeon sacrificed a successful music career to fuel her Olympic dream and has just over a month to find the crucial milestones needed to get on the plane to Paris.
If he fails to make the 100m butterfly, he could still qualify for the Australian relay team.
Simpson finished fourth at the recent Australian swimming championships and will need to find an extra second before the Olympic trials in June to qualify.
Simpson and her partner Emma McKeon are the most popular names in Australian swimming
But whatever happens, Simpson remains zen about his chances and insists he will be satisfied even if he doesn’t make it to the Paris Olympics.
“In a sense, I can’t really fail, because I either make the Olympic team this year or I don’t,” Simpson said in a baffling statement.
‘A fairy tale ending would be nice, but it will happen or it won’t and that’s the reality.
‘There’s not much I can control other than giving it my all. So if that’s not enough that day, that’s not enough that day.
“But either way, I’ve really given everything I have to see what I can do in this sport and I’ve had a lot of success along the way.”
Before taking a break from his musical career, Simpson had recorded four albums and played the lead role of Dmitry in the Broadway musical Anastasia.
Even if Simpson doesn’t qualify for the 100m butterfly, there may still be a place for him on the Australian relay team.
McKeon is retiring from swimming after the Paris Olympics and Simpson could join her if she fails to qualify.
Returning to the music industry would be a logical progression for the Gold Coast product, but he’s not thinking about it until the curtain officially falls on his swimming career.
“I’ve purposely put a brick wall on either side, so I’ll address it when it comes,” he said. “But I’ve never known what’s next in my life.”
His decision may be influenced by the imminent retirement of his teammate McKeon, 29, an 11-time Olympic medalist and the most decorated Australian Olympian in history.
He will end his swimming career after the Paris Olympics, which could lead Simpson to follow the same path.
‘Emma has never had a life without swimming. I know what she’s like, but she’s never had it, so I’m excited for her to explore her other interests and have the time to do it because she never had it when she was growing up.
“I’m very fortunate to be someone who has a lot to look forward to on the other side and another passion and career that I can pursue again depending on what I decide outside of the group.
“I don’t know what I’ll do yet, but I’ll make that decision later this year.”