Australian popstar turned swimmer Cody Simpson has put an end date on his career in the pool.
Simpson put his hugely successful music career on hold in 2019 to chase his dream of qualifying for the Paris Olympics in 2024.
The 26-year-old has already competed on the world stage at last year’s Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, where he won gold and silver medals for heat swims in the 4x100m freestyle and 4x100m medley.
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He also competed in the 50m and 100m butterfly, making it to the final in the latter.
But qualifying for the Olympics has always been the award-winning musician’s No.1 goal since returning to the sport.
Simpson has previously hinted next year’s Olympics, held in July, was going to be the end point of his swimming career and confirmed that it will mark the end of his “journey” in the pool.
“I’ve been doing this every day for over three years now,” Simpson wrote on Instagram. “There are only eight months left in my swimming journey which I believe calls for more content and updates on the path.
“Training is going well. I give whatever I have to give everyday. Learning a lot about myself. Loving feeling this healthy.”
Simpson recently won two gold medals and a silver at the Australian short-course championships in September.
Reflecting on the achievement, Simpson said it was “last ever” Australian short-course event, meaning he doesn’t plan to defend his titles next October.
Simpson’s last chance to qualify for Paris 2024 will come in June next year at the Australian swimming trials.
Since committing to swimming, Simpson has immersed himself in the sport to the extent that he is in a long-term relationship with Australian Olympic great Emma McKeon, buying a house with her on the Gold Coast, and counts teammates like Mack Horton among his best friends.
“Eyes ahead. This experiment I’ve undertaken in the pool wouldn’t be without its mountains and valleys,” Simpson wrote after missing selection for this year’s worlds.
“A week of racing at our 2023 Australian Trials brought some personal best times, but I’ve yet to craft the swims that I’ve been developing in the dojo.
“Those are still to arise. I feel very glad to be on the path I’m on, throwing myself into the ring in one of the more beautifully brutal sports there is.
“Like the stonemason, we keep swinging at the boulder until it cracks! Thank you to my friends, family, and sponsors for your loving kindness.”
“I learn so much about myself in this sport that I can take forward and apply to my creative pursuits beyond swimming,” Simpson added.
“I absolutely love it and for that, I’m grateful. I also learn the power of patience, persistence, and perseverance. To everyone out there, in whatever you do, be dogged! See you soon.”
Simpson hopes his path to becoming an athlete, though extraordinary and rare, will act as inspiration for others who are worried about change.
“I think that more people can and should embrace change, and be braver in their lives to go after what it truly is that they like to do,” he told Channel 7 recently.
But the popstar assured fans he wasn’t done with the microphone and guitar just yet.
“Music has been my primary love and focus for the majority of my life; I spent 10 years of my life playing music professionally, and plan on doing it again as soon as I hang up the goggles,” Simpson said.
“I absolutely love what I’m doing at the moment. I love the feeling I get after a hard session.
“I think ultimately life’s good when you’re challenging yourself like this.”