Article by Matthew Sullivan courtesy of News.com.au and Fox Sports.
Cody Simpson’s swimming career is just going from strength to strength.
The singer-turned-swimmer has been rewarded for his impressive showing at the Commonwealth Games with a spot on Australia’s squad for this month’s Duel in the Pool against the USA.
As a heat swimmer, Simpson claimed a gold medal in the 4x100m freestyle relay and silver in the 4x100m medley relay in Birmingham.
He finished fifth in the final of the 100m butterfly in a time of 52.06 seconds, just outside his personal best of 51.79 seconds.
The 25-year-old said he had been inundated with an “overwhelming flood of supportive and congratulatory messages” for his efforts at the Games.
“My first Commonwealth Games done & dusted,” he wrote on Instagram.
“For me, the very act of training morning and night and the thrill of racing is rewarding enough — but to walk away from my international swimming debut with a gold and silver medal is something beyond articulation for now.
“Thanks all. Ready to go back to work, keep improving on my individual events and perhaps explore new territory.
“I’m honoured to represent Australia and represent all the kids who decide to walk steadfastly in the direction their dreams, it’s never too late!”
Simpson wasn’t named in Australia’s initial squad of 12 for the Duel in the Pool but was one of several Dolphins stars added to a larger roster that will take on Team USA in the rare exhibition event.
Also competing will be Simpson’s girlfriend Emma McKeon, rising freestyle star Mollie O’Callaghan, backstroker Kaylee McKeown, as well as Mack Horton, Shayna Jack, Zac Stubblety-Cook and Mitch Larkin.
Simpson and McKeon, who became Australia’s most successful athlete in Commonwealth Games history in Birmingham, are currently enjoying a well deserved holiday in Italy.
The Duel in the Pool will see Australia and the USA go head to head for the first time since the American swimming team last competed under in 2007, when Libby Trickett famously raced against Michael Phelps.
“Our athletes relish every chance to wear the gold cap, as most recently shown by the outstanding results in Birmingham,” Dolphins head coach Rohan Taylor said.
“Any Australian team you make is special, but when presented with the opportunity to face our greatest rival in front of a home crowd I know these athletes will step up to the challenge. Pressure is a privilege, and it is one we embrace.
“This team is a wonderful mix of generational stars and those forging a path right on their heels and I’d encourage our fans to ensure they are there to witness first hand some of the best athletes in the world go to work.”
Duel in the Pool will get underway with an open water race at Bondi Beach on Friday August 19, before two nights of action in the pool at Sydney Olympic Park on August 20-21.
After their successful Commonwealth Games campaigns, Olympic gold medallists Kyle Chalmers and Ariarne Titmus won’t be competing in the event — one of several on a packed swimming calendar in 2022.
2022 Duel in the Pool Australian Dolphins team: Grayson Bell, Shaun Champion, Ellie Cole, Tamsin Cook, Kai Edwards, Chelsea Gubecka, Meg Harris, Chelsea Hodges, Mack Horton, Shayna Jack, Mitch Larkin, Kareena Lee, Kyle Lee, Se-Bom Lee, Matt Levy, Will Martin, Ash McConnell, Emma McKeon, Kaylee McKeown, Leah Neale, Tom Nowakowski, Mollie O’Callaghan, Lani Pallister, Cody Simpson, Brendon Smith, Matilda Smith, Mikayla Smith, Jenna Strauch, Zac Stubblety-Cook, Matt Temple, Brianna Throssell, Sam Williamson, Madi Wilson, Brad Woodward