Aussie swimmer out of leadership group after reported drinking session

Australian swimmer Isaac Cooper has relinquished his position within the Dolphins' leadership group following a reported drinking session during the Commonwealth Games. The incident occurred at the Tollcross International Swimming Centre in Glasgow, where Cooper was expected to provide support to his teammates instead of drinking.

Cooper was also observed consuming alcohol at the Australian team hotel on the same day, contradicting team expectations. Swimming Australia confirmed that Cooper did not attend the final day of swimming competitions or the concluding team meeting in Glasgow, which breached team expectations. As a result, Cooper has voluntarily resigned from the team's athlete leadership group.

Cooper was scheduled to compete in the 100m backstroke final that night but withdrew after qualifying as the eighth-fastest swimmer. The 22-year-old athlete had previously won a gold medal as part of the 4x100m medley team in Glasgow, and also secured a sixth-place finish in the 50m backstroke final, a race he had previously won a silver medal at the 2024 world championships.

Cooper will next participate in the Pan Pacific championships in the United States, which commence on August 12.