Sam Short dispatched 'stubborn' view to become a 'new man' in comeback from derailed Paris campaign

Australian swimming champion Sam Short admits he used to have a "stubborn" view on sports psychology, even believing tapping into it was a sign of "weakness".

But after enduring an Olympic campaign which by the Brisbane product's own admission was a "failure", he credits sports psychology to helping him become a "new man".

Short is among the stars set to compete at the Australian swimming trials next week in Adelaide, where spots on the Dolphins team for this year's world championships, to be held in Singapore across July and August, will be up for grabs.

READ MORE: 'Won himself a lot of new admirers': What's next for Big Ange?

READ MORE: Flanagan reveals Dragon had likely asthma attack in game

READ MORE: Star's 'Cleary' play leads to historic feat for Dolphins

The 21-year-old freestyler is listed to race the 400m, the event in which he won gold at the 2023 world championships in Fukuoka, as well as the 200m, 800m and 1500m.

He's on a comeback mission this year, intent on returning to his world-beating best after a Paris 2024 campaign derailed by illness and injury.

He said placing more importance on seeing his psychologist at the Queensland Academy of Sport had helped him move on mentally and emotionally.

"Up until 19-20 I didn't really think it [sports psychology] made a difference, and then after I really gave it a good go in the last six months it's opened me up to a whole new world of training," Short told Wide World of Sports.

Watch the 2025 Australian swimming trials live and free on Nine and 9Now, taking place from June 9-14.

"You can train your physical self all you want, but unless your mind's strong you're not really going to go anywhere.

"I feel like I've got to the point now where I've got all the tools in my tool box where I can deal with any situation.

"I started seeing him [his psychologist] with a bit more intent, and I was actually wanting to see him after the Olympics.

"I know for me personally, up until the age of 20 I didn't even think it made a difference. I thought it was a weakness almost, which was incredibly stubborn.

"Now it's changed my outlook, my training philosophy and how I approach certain situations and deal with things.

"So I think it's very important."

Getting serious about psychology coincided with he and his coach, Damien Jones, moving their training base from Spring Hill's Centenary Pool to Chandler's Brisbane Aquatic Centre.

"January 1, I was a new man," Short said.

"I had moved on, and didn't want to think about anything [from his Paris 2024 campaign]."

Short's debut Olympic campaign encountered a hiccup when he was hit with a bout of gastro during the lead-up to the trials.

That hiccup escalated when he continued to flog himself in training, instead of easing up to look after his struggling body.

"I just shot my immune system and I was pretty cooked," Short admitted.

His 2024 season was also hindered by a tear to the subscapularis muscle in his right shoulder. He repeatedly pumped himself with anti-inflammatories so he could bear the pain that came with training and racing.

He produced his best performance of the Paris Games in the 400m, finishing a disappointing fourth in 3:42.64.

Australia's Elijah Winnington claimed silver in the 400m.

In both the 800m and 1500m, Short failed to advance from the heats.

The Queenslander's 400m and 800m personal bests are faster than the times that won gold in France, although the drop-in pool at the Paris La Defense Arena was considered "slow".

"In the eyes of myself and my team around me we can all admit it was a 'failure' in our eyes, but that doesn't come without learning experiences and some really fun memories," Short said in an honest Instagram post last September.

He's spent recent months racing in the US and Brazil, and training at high altitude in Flagstaff, Arizona.

He's also experimented with sleeping in an altitude tent at home in Brisbane.

"I'm super, super hungry," said Short, who's aiming to contest the 400m, 800m and 1500m at Singapore's world championships.

"I want to race the best; that's the reason I do it. I want to step up and challenge myself against the best in the world. There have been some very impressive times going around this season, but I know I can be around that mark and I'm excited to get in there and race the best.

"I'm not really thinking about the Olympics; I really just want to crush this year as well as I can. I just know I'm going to build through the Olympic cycle."