Cody Simpson meet-and-greet at Robina Town Centre for ‘We Build Champions’ campaign
Kids waited over an hour to meet Australian swimming champion and pop star Cody Simpson. Check out all the photos from the day
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Kids waited over an hour to meet Australian swimming champion and pop star Cody Simpson.
But 14-year-old Tiah Bouveng got to interview him herself. Simpson, 27, did an hour-long meet-and-greet at Robina Town Centre on Thursday as a part of a ‘We Build Champions’ campaign to celebrate and support Australia’s future sports champions.
All Saints Anglican School junior sports reporter Tiah was able to ask Simpson what he loved most about swimming and what keeps him going.
“I love the solitary nature of being with my own thoughts in the water,” he said.
“I love that battle over the awards.”
Simpson said he wished he could tell his 12-year-old self that all his effort would be “worth it”.
“All great things take time,” he said.
It comes almost a month after Simpson fell short of making the Australian Olympics team and announced he would be making a return to the entertainment industry.
Simpson said it was “very hard” to for him to give up his swimming aspirations when his music career was taking off in 2009.
“It’s unusual for someone to have two passions they want to explore when they are so young. But I had to choose,” he said.
EARLIER:
Fans of singer-turned-swimming champion, Cody Simpson, will be able to meet him face-to-face on the Gold Coast as he prepares to make a comeback in the entertainment industry.
Simpson, 27, will be heading to Robina Town Centre for an hour from 12pm to 1pm on July 4.
The meet-and-greet was a part of a ‘We Build Champions’ campaign to celebrate and support Australia’s future sports champions.
“We all start our sports journey somewhere,” Simpson said.
“It’s important for young Australians to have the opportunity to try different things and have a crack at all kinds of sports and activities.”
Simpson said when he was a child he dreamt of meeting his heroes Michael Phelps and Ian Thorpe.
“So my 12-year-old self would definitely be here, among these local kids, hoping to meet an athlete,” he said.
“If I can inspire them to realise that anything is possible with a dream, effort, and dedication, perhaps some future champions will start their journey right here.”
Fans will be able to compete with Simpson in a jump test, canoe course and a steady skater challenge.
It comes almost a month after Simpson fell short of making the Australian Olympics team and announced he would be making a return to the entertainment industry.
Simpson will also be signing his first book ‘The Sea in Me’ during his meet-and-greet on Thursday.
QIC Head of Marketing Bronwyn Cooper said their campaign with the Australian Sports Commission and the Australian Institute of Sport was crucial for grassroots level sports on the Gold Coast.
“Cody’s success in the pool, and his non-sporting endeavours, is a source of great pride for all Australians,” Ms Cooper said.
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