Isaac Cooper withdrew from the 100m backstroke final on the final night of competition in Glasgow after qualifying eighth-fastest, and was reportedly out drinking instead of supporting his teammates, according to The Sydney Morning Herald.
The 22-year-old had swum in the heats of the men’s 4x100m medley relay earlier that day, but skipped the evening session and the final team meeting at Tollcross International Swimming Centre.
Leadership group exit
As a member of the Dolphins’ athlete leadership group, Cooper was expected to be present to cheer on his teammates. Swimming Australia confirmed he has since voluntarily stood down from that role.
“Isaac did not attend the final night of the swimming competition or final team meeting in Glasgow which is in conflict with team expectations,” a Swimming Australia statement said. “Isaac has since voluntarily stood down from the team’s athlete leadership group.”
“Swimming Australia will not be making any further comment on this issue. We look forward to watching Isaac compete at the Pan Pacific Championships,” the statement added.
Previous sanction and results
The incident comes four years after Cooper was sent home from a training camp in France on the eve of the Birmingham Commonwealth Games for the misuse of prescription medication. Despite the leadership group move, Swimming Australia said he is still expected to compete at the upcoming Pan Pacific Championships.
Cooper won gold in the 4x100m medley relay as a heat swimmer, and finished sixth in the 50m backstroke final — an event he won silver in at the 2024 world championships.
