Cody Simpson is absolutely committed to making the transition from pop star to elite swimmer, according to Olympic champion Grant Hackett.
Simpson, described by Hackett as a "child prodigy" in the pool, has been training for less than a year since making the decision to put his music career on hold and chase his swimming dream.
He impressed at last month's national championships, and will line up in next month's Australian Swimming Trials in Adelaide, with a spot on the team for this year's Tokyo Olympics on the line, although in Simpson's case, the Paris Games in 2024 appear a more realistic target.
Hackett, who spoke to Wide World of Sports at an event to announce Amazon Prime would cover the Australian Trials, confirmed Tokyo might be a bridge too far.
"This time around, the probability is low, I think if Cody does everything right over the next three years, then leading into Paris the probability becomes much higher," he said.
"He's got the talent and the determination to get himself there.
"If he's making finals this time around in Adelaide, then that's freakish, because he's done this for months, not years."
It's Simpson's commitment to the long-haul that has impressed Hackett, with the three-time Olympic gold medallist noting that plenty of hard work will be required to earn a spot on the team for the Paris Games in 2024.
"His commitment level is 100 per cent. He said he wanted to go to Paris, not Tokyo. He knows he has to do years of work to produce a performance that puts him in contention to make an Olympic team," Hackett said.
"He's absolutely committed to that, he knows how to train hard, absorb pain and be consistent.
"He's willing to put in the work, the commitment he's shown by putting his music career on hold demonstrates how much he wants this."
Hackett's relationship with Simpson goes back to their time as neighbours on the Gold Coast, where a young Simpson trained at the same club as Hackett, under the tutelage of renowned coach Dennis Cotterall.
The pop star approached Hackett for advice ahead of his swimming comeback, with the 41-year-old confirming he had a simple question for Simpson.
"I asked him how serious he was about doing this," Hackett revealed.
"He said, 'I'm deadly serious,' and I replied, 'No, are you really serious?'"
Simpson, who enjoyed a highly successful swimming career as a junior, gave the sport away as a 13-year-old to pursue his music career.
Normally, missing the crucial teenage development years would be enough to rule out a career as an elite athlete, whatever the sport, but Hackett says Simpson is one who can make up for lost time.
"It's one of those things where only a few athletes can do it, and it's probably one of his biggest challenges. In saying that, he's got the maturity of an adult, and he's improved so much already," Hackett explained.
"He knows what he's doing, and I think back to (world champion) Matt Welsh, who started swimming at 17. He had the talent that didn't need all those development years like the rest of us.
"Whilst it does limit the likeliness of success, it doesn't prohibit it.
"Cody wants it, and he wants it badly."
Hackett said Simpson realises the challenge he's set himself, and any success that comes his way this early in the second phase of his career is simply a bonus.
While a spot on the team for Tokyo in the 100m butterfly would be the ultimate feel-good story, the experience gained this time around will definitely stand him in good stead prior to 2024.
"He's always been a fit guy, but in terms of getting the swimming fitness, he's literally only had months under his belt," Hackett said.
"If he makes the finals this time around that positions him really well, because you can come a long way in three years."
Regardless of how he performs in Adelaide next month, Hackett says Simpson will only get better as he heads towards 2024.
"He's one of those people who understands the level of commitment, dedication and training it takes to get to an Olympic Games, and he's willing to put that in," he explained.
"Full credit to him, I love the fact he's willing to face it head-on, I love these sorts of stories.
"What he's done so far is quite remarkable, he's just got to keep that consistency up and keep improving."
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