Why former world champion James Magnussen believes Cody Simpson’s Olympic dream is over

Pop sensation turned Olympic swimming hopeful Cody Simpson might qualify for the Paris Olympics next week, but former world champion James Magnussen believes the goal is a step too far.

Simpson, 27, stunned the music scene when he returned to the pool in 2019, having shown promise at national level as a youngster before pursuing a music career in the US.

While he missed selection for the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, he made the cut for the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

The sprinter snared gold as part of the 4 x 100 metre freestyle relay team and silver in the 4 x 100 metre medley relay – but competing in the Olympics is the ultimate sporting accomplishment in Simpson’s eyes.

Retired champion swimmer James Magnussen believes the goal is a step too far for Simpson

That accomplishment has looked hard to reach this year with several other swimmers giving him a run for his money in both the 100m butterfly and 100m freestyle.

‘Do I think he can make it? I think this Olympic team is probably just a step too far for Cody,’ Magnussen wrote in a News Corp column.

‘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.

‘Looking at the times, his best chance is the 100m freestyle.

‘You’ve got six opportunities to qualify for that relay team so that race on Thursday night will be one of the most watched races of the entire Olympic trials.

‘If he can swim a 48.30s final, he probably makes the team.

‘If he bombs in the 100m freestyle it’s not the end of the world, he still has the 100m butterfly to come on Saturday, but Matt Temple and Shaun Champion will be tough to beat as young athletes on an upwards trajectory.

‘So I would be placing a lot of importance on the 100m freestyle and trying to get that sixth spot in that relay.’

Simpson will be hoping to draw some inspiration from partner Emma McKeon

 Magnussen stressed just how difficult it is to make the team and said he would be the first to congratulate Simpson if he can do it.

Simpson doesn’t have to look far for inspiration – his girlfriend’s 11-medal haul across the 2016 Rio de Janeiro and 2020 Tokyo Games makes Emma McKeon the most decorated Australian swimmer in Olympic history.

‘I certainly have learnt a lot from how she handles ups and downs and successes and failures,’ he told GQ last week.

‘We both obviously have a lot of emotional baggage around each of our performances and careers….we try not to put those on each other whilst also still being able to be that supportive figure.

‘There is not a lot of talk of swimming at home.’