Isaac Cooper Steps Down From Dolphins Leadership After Glasgow Drinking Incident

Australian swimmer Isaac Cooper has voluntarily stepped down from the Dolphins’ athlete leadership group after missing the final night of competition and the team’s closing meeting at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow on August 3. According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Cooper was out drinking while teammates competed, breaching team expectations. Swimming Australia confirmed he will still compete at the Pan Pacific Championships.

What happened at the Commonwealth Games

Cooper raced in a relay heat on the final day of competition but withdrew from the men’s 100m backstroke final. He failed to attend the closing ceremony and final team meeting that evening. Three sources confirmed Cooper was out drinking in Glasgow while his teammates were competing. He was also seen drinking at Australia’s team headquarters, a shared space used by athletes from all sports.

Why this matters for the leadership group

No rule prohibits swimmers from drinking after their competition ends. However, teammates not competing were expected to support Dolphins members still racing. Cooper’s absence was particularly notable because he had recently been appointed to the team’s athlete leadership group. Swimming Australia stated his absence conflicted with team expectations.

Cooper’s history of discipline

This is Cooper’s second disciplinary incident in four years. In 2022, he was sent home from a training camp in France due to misuse of prescription medication. Cooper swam in the semi-final of the 100m backstroke on Tuesday evening and was the eighth-fastest qualifier into Wednesday’s final. He also won gold as a heat swimmer in the men’s 4x100m medley relay.

What happens next

Swimming Australia released a statement confirming Cooper voluntarily stood down from the leadership group. The organisation said it will not comment further on the issue. Cooper is cleared to compete at the Pan Pacific Championships, the next major competition on the swimming calendar.

Final Thoughts

Cooper’s voluntary exit from the leadership role signals Swimming Australia’s expectation that athletes in formal positions uphold team standards, even when no rule technically forbids their conduct. His participation in upcoming Pan Pacific Championships remains intact.

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