Aussie pop star Cody Simpson closing in on spot at Commonwealth Games

What started as a dream could soon become a reality for Cody Simpson, who looks a strong chance to qualify for the Commonwealth Games.

Cody Simpson is closing in on a spot at the Commonwealth Games after swimming under the qualifying time in his 100m butterfly heat at the Australian Swimming Championships on Wednesday.

Only dual-Olympic bronze medallist Matthew Temple recorded a faster time in the heats than the pop star, who has a chance to lock up a spot at the Birmingham Games by placing in the top three in Wednesday night’s final.

Simpson shaved nearly a second off his personal best to record a time of 51.79, which was enough to beat three-time Olympian Kyle Chalmers.

Chalmers specialises in freestyle, winning Olympic gold in the 100m in 2016, but announced earlier this month that he would throw his hat in the ring for butterfly at the Commonwealth Games.

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A talented swimmer in his youth, Cody Simpson began swimming seriously again in 2020. Picture: Mark Brake/Getty Images

If Simpson manages to finish the final in the top two, he’ll not only swim at the Commonwealth Games this July but also at the world titles in Budapest next month.

Simpson has shown remarkable improvement since embarking on his quest to qualify for the Australian swimming team at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

A talented swimmer in his youth, Simpson began pursuing his Olympic dream in 2020 but finished last in the final of the 100m butterfly at last year’s Tokyo Olympic trials.

Undeterred, Simpson maintained his training regimen and now has the Commonwealth Games in his sights.

Shayna Jack is back in the pool. Picture: David Clark

As she eyes a comeback to the Australian team, Shayna Jack recorded the equal second-fastest time of any woman in the 100m freestyle heats.

In July 2019, Jack tested positive for the banned substance ligandrol, forcing her out of the pool for two years.

Jack last raced at the Commonwealth Games in 2018, clinching gold in the 4x100m freestyle.

Jack’s time of 53.27 was only outdone by 18-year-old Mollie O’Callaghan (52.85). Both women will race in the final on Wednesday night.

Having missed out on an individual swim at the Tokyo Games, Olympic Gold medallist Mack Horton is out for redemption and has made the 400m freestyle final.

Horton finished third overall in the heats with a time of 3:48.92, only behind Elijah Winnington (3:46.83) and Sam Short (3:47.13).