Australian swimmer Isaac Cooper’s participation in the Commonwealth Games was overshadowed by controversy, involving a late-night drinking incident, conflicting accounts of a withdrawal from a final, and a pre-Games split with his coach. The events have led to scrutiny from team officials and the public, with head coach Rohan Taylor addressing some aspects at a subsequent press conference.
Cooper’s Glasgow Incident and Social Media Activity
The controversy began when Cooper missed the final night of swimming at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Instead of supporting his Australian teammates and attending a mandatory team meeting, the backstroker was reportedly seen drinking at the Australian team’s accommodation. This absence reportedly angered head coach Rohan Taylor.
Following the incident, Cooper posted a photo on Instagram with a beer emoji and the caption “Cheers Glasgow 🍻. It was real. Onto the next.” The post, shared with his 41,000 followers, was quickly altered to “Peace out Glasgow” after attracting attention. One user commented on the “wild caption,” which Cooper appeared to acknowledge by liking the comment.
This social media activity came after Cooper had expressed pride in being appointed to the Dolphins’ leadership group just weeks prior. The contrast between his previous statements and his actions in Glasgow drew significant attention.
Conflicting Explanations for 100m Backstroke Withdrawal
A key point of contention was Cooper’s withdrawal from the 100m backstroke final on the last night of the swimming competition. Head coach Rohan Taylor offered an explanation at a press conference for the Pan Pacific Championships in Irvine, California. Taylor stated that both Cooper and teammate Sienna Toohey had requested to withdraw from their individual events the day before to focus on the medley relay. “The night before [July 28], both he and [breaststroker] Sienna Toohey wanted to pull out of their [individual] events the next day to save themselves for the relay,” Taylor explained.
However, this account conflicts with a statement posted on Cooper’s official Facebook page. This post, attributed to Cooper’s management, claimed he withdrew from the 100m backstroke final due to a “spine fracture.” The post indicated that while not drastic, the injury required treatment before the Pan Pacific Championships, prompting his decision to withdraw from the individual final but still compete in the medley relay heats.
When questioned about the reported back injury, Taylor did not confirm its existence, reiterating only that Cooper had spoken to him about conserving energy for the medley relay. The circumstances surrounding the withdrawal remain unclear, particularly given that Cooper was the eighth-fastest qualifier for the final and that another backstroker, Henry Allan, swam in the medley relay final later that evening, suggesting Cooper could have potentially competed in both events.
Team Standards and Leadership Role
Swimming Australia released a statement on August 3 confirming Cooper’s absence from the final night of competition and the team meeting, noting it was “in conflict with team expectations.” The statement also revealed that Cooper had “voluntarily stood down from the team’s athlete leadership group.” Taylor was asked about this voluntary step-down but stated that his conversations with Cooper were private. He emphasized the team’s focus on the upcoming Pan Pacific Championships.
Regarding the drinking incident, Taylor acknowledged that such events need to be addressed. “We want our team to be united and together. And so anytime [something] like that happens, it’s always something we have to address. We did and we moved on,” he said, without elaborating on the specific actions taken.
Coach Split and Past Issues
Adding to the narrative, it was revealed that Cooper had split with his coach, Olympian Ash Delaney, on the eve of the Commonwealth Games. Delaney did not travel with the team to either Glasgow or Irvine, as he was not selected as part of the Dolphins’ coaching staff by Swimming Australia. Taylor confirmed he had been in discussions with Cooper about his future coaching arrangements.
This incident is not the first time Cooper has faced disciplinary issues. Four years prior, he was sent home from a training camp by Taylor ahead of the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham for the misuse of prescription medication, including reportedly giving sleeping pills to teammates. Cooper had recently expressed his belief that he was treated harshly on that occasion.
Public and Athlete Reactions
The situation drew commentary from various figures. Satirical website The Betoota Advocate published a story humorously titled “God Forbid A Queenslander Goes To A Pub While On Tour,” which Cooper himself reshared on Instagram. Fellow Queensland swimmer Kaylee McKeown liked the satirical post, while Jenna Forrester’s mother, Louisa Forrester, commented negatively on the article.
Brazilian swimmer Bruno Fratus also weighed in on social media platform X, acknowledging Cooper’s talent but deeming his behavior unacceptable while on a team. Fratus also questioned the value or compensation for athletes in leadership roles.
Cooper’s Current Status and Future
Cooper has not publicly addressed the Glasgow events directly. Attempts to secure an interview with him have been unsuccessful. He is scheduled to compete in the men’s 50m butterfly at the Pan Pacific Championships.
In his most recent social media posts from the US, Cooper expressed enthusiasm for being in America and anticipation for racing. A follower commented on one post, “This calls for a celebratory beer,” to which Cooper responded, “I agree.” The sentiment suggests a desire to celebrate success, with the hope that such celebrations would occur after his competition commitments conclude.
The ongoing uncertainty surrounding the details of the Glasgow incident, the conflicting explanations for his withdrawal from the 100m backstroke final, and his past disciplinary record continue to be subjects of discussion as Cooper prepares for future competitions.
