Cody Simpson reveals what inspired him to get back in the swimming pool

Cody Simpson is in training to compete in the 2024 Paris Olympics.

And on Sunday, the Los-Angeles based Australian singer revealed what inspired him to get back into the swimming pool and resurrect his gold medal dreams.

The 23-year-old musician told the New York Times he decided he still had a shot at the Olympics after seeing American swimmer Caeleb Dressel – who is five months his junior – beat a record set by Michael Phelps in 2019.

‘I stopped drinking that night and started finding pools the next day,’ the Gold Coast-born talent said.   

He was discovered through YouTube and relocated to the States with his family in 2010, since then the On My Mind singer dedicated himself his music career.

He signed a record deal at age 13, made two albums with Atlantic Records – along with a string of hit singles. 

Cody left Atlantic in 2018 to created his own label, Coast House. He also did a six-month stint on Broadway in Anastasia and published a book of poetry called Prince Neptune.

But now, his passion for swimming is taking the strong lead, he said: ‘I love the music industry very much, and I’ll continue to be a musician long into my life, but it’s not as pure of a pursuit as sport, which just comes straight down to the clock.’ 

Despite his pop star status, Cody’s passion for swimming has been recognised by his idols Michael Phelps and Ian Thorpe.

Cody told the Times that he sends videos of his swims to the American athlete, who replies back with his insight and advice on the singer’s performance.

The 23-time gold medalist said of the singer: ‘I think his mind is truly like a swim nerd’s.’

Cody also gets notes on his swims from Australia swimming great Ian Thorpe, who shared his trick of imagining he was playing the drums in every swim, using his hands as the kick drum and his feet the snare – a perfect technique for a musician. 

Last month, Cody’s swimming coach Brett Hawke told The Daily Telegraph that Cody wants to make the 2024 Paris Olympics and win gold in the 100m butterfly.

‘The goal is Paris 2024, certainly not Tokyo. You’ll have three years to watch him progress,’ Brett said.

Brett, a former freestyle Olympic swimmer, also said of Cody’s sheer determination: ‘It’s 5am in LA and we are about to dive into a cold pool. If I didn’t see potential I would be in bed right now.’

It comes after Cody announced he qualified for the Australian swimming trials by swimming the 100m butterfly in 54.9 seconds, beating the benchmark of 56.87 seconds.