- James Magnussen does not believe that Cody Simpson will be part of the Paris team
- The former champion believes that the current team is too strong at the moment
- He says it will be an amazing story if Simpson somehow manages to qualify.
Pop sensation turned aspiring Olympic swimmer Cody Simpson could qualify for the Paris Olympics next week, but former world champion James Magnussen believes the goal is a step too far.
Simpson, 27, surprised the music scene when he returned to the pool in 2019, having shown promise on a national level as a youth before pursuing a music career in the United States.
While he missed selection for the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, he made the cut for the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
The sprinter took gold as part of the 4 x 100-meter freestyle relay team and silver in the 4 x 100-meter medley relay, but competing in the Olympics is the greatest sporting achievement in Simpson’s eyes.
Cody Simpson (pictured) hopes to qualify for the Paris Games this week
Retired champion swimmer James Magnussen believes goal is a step too far for Simpson
That achievement seemed elusive this year, as several other swimmers gave it a run for their money in both the 100m butterfly and 100m freestyle.
‘Do I think he can do it? “I think this Olympic team is probably a step too far for Cody,” Magnussen wrote in a news corporation column.
“It would be great news for world swimming if he qualified, but I think the depth we have now in his two events will be too strong for him.
‘Looking at the times, your best opportunity is the 100 meter freestyle.
‘You have six chances to qualify for that relay team, so Thursday night’s race will be one of the most watched of all the Olympic events.
“If he can swim a 48.30s final, he’ll probably make the team.”
“If he fails in the 100m freestyle it won’t be the end of the world, he still has the 100m fly on Saturday, but Matt Temple and Shaun Champion will be tough to beat as young athletes on an upward trajectory.
“So I would put a lot of importance on the 100 freestyle and try to get sixth place in that relay.”
Simpson hopes to be inspired by his partner Emma McKeon
Magnussen highlighted how difficult it is to make the team and said he would be the first to congratulate Simpson if he can make it.
Simpson doesn’t have to look far for inspiration: his girlfriend’s 11 medals at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro and 2020 Tokyo Games make Emma McKeon the most decorated Australian swimmer in Olympic history.
“I’ve certainly learned a lot from how she handles the ups and downs, the successes and the failures,” he said. GQ last week.
“Obviously, we both have a lot of emotional baggage around each of our performances and careers… we try not to put that on each other and at the same time be able to be that support figure.
“At home we don’t talk much about swimming.”
