Cody Simpson’s raw admission ahead of Paris Olympics qualifying battle

Cody Simpson has opened up ahead of the biggest week of his life as the former pop star attempts to make his Olympic dream a reality.

Cody Simpson opened up ahead of his races at the Aussie swim trials. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Cody Simpson has opened up ahead of his events at the Australian swimming trials this week.

The former pop star returned to the pool four years ago in the hopes of securing a place in the Australian team for the Olympics.

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That dream can become a reality if he can reach a final and secure a top placed finish during his three events.

Simpson, 27, walked away from the microphone and picked up the goggles again in 2020 and in a heartfelt post on social media, opened up on his four-year journey back in the pool and admitted he’s doing this for his younger self.

“As I approach the Australian Olympic Trials this week I find myself reflecting on what a cracking last four years I’ve had pursuing my dreams and desires in this sport,” Simpson wrote on Instagram.

“Seems like yesterday it was 2020, getting back in the water raw and wildly unfit having not swum or competed since I was a little boy. To look back on how this whole thing has progressed is beyond me.

“I’ve given everything I have morning and night in training to see what I can get out of myself; burnt every boat I could burn in the pursuit.

He’s given it his all over the past four years. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

“The physical and mental expansion that swimming has now brought me is huge. Along with all the dreams achieved in swimming for Australia.

“I’ve laid it all out there in these final six months and I’m very, very excited to race this week and just see what I can do.

“Thanks to all who have supported me on my ride.

“I do all of this for the 12-year-old kid in me. He’d be so stoked to know everything that’s happened. Guess he does ‘cause he’s me!

“See you on the other side!”

Simpson will compete in the 50m and 100m freestyle, and 100m butterfly and will need to prove his doubters wrong to obtain a ticket to Paris.

It’s not going to be an easy ride. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

His results at the Australian Open championships in April ranked him fourth fastest in the butterfly and ninth fastest in the freestyle.

Competing in the 100m butterfly, Simpson came fourth in a time of 52.32 seconds.

It is widely expected that Simpson will have to swim at least 0.5 seconds quicker than his current personal best to challenge for second position alongside Shaun Champion, Ben Armbruster and Aussie champ Kyle Chalmers.

National champion Matt Temple is expected to win the event.

That leaves the 100m freestyle as the only other chance Simpson has of fulfilling his dream.

Emma McKeon and Cody will be hoping to go to Paris together. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

He must finish in the top six in order to be selected as a heat swimmer in the team relays.

In a red hot field, Simpson again needs to improve on his personal best if he is going to sneak into the top six.

It’s why some commentators fear his incredible journey won’t get the fairy tale finish.

Former world champion James Magnussen wrote for News Corp newspapers that the depth in Australian swimming is too deep for Simpson to overcome.

“Do I think he can make it? I think this Olympic team is probably just a step too far for Cody,” he wrote.

“It would be an amazing news story for world swimming if he was to qualify, but I just think the depth we have right now in his two events will be too strong for him.”

Simpson’s campaign will get underway with the 50m freestyle on Wednesday and 100m freestyle on Thursday, before he turns his attentions to 100m butterfly on Saturday.