Isaac Cooper Addresses Removal From Aussie Commonwealth Games; Says Medication Use Was Not Banned Substance
Sent home from the team’s Commonwealth Games training camp by Swimming Australia earlier in the week, rising backstroke standout Isaac Cooper took to social media to address the situation. Using his Instagram platform, Cooper indicated that he was dealing with mental-health issues and the medication he was sent home for using was not a banned substance.
“My misuse of medication was not banned substances,” Cooper posted to Instagram. “It was ultimately my wellbeing and mental health that resulted in me going home. It was difficult to accept in myself that I needed to address my mental health but I believe that it is an ever-present issue in all communities, including that of a professional athlete. I am grateful to Swimming Australia for helping to identify an issue and offering their support and resources to help me.”
A Tokyo Olympian and finalist in the 50-meter backstroke at last month’s World Championships, Cooper was a leading medal contender for medals in the 50 back and 100 back at the Commonwealth Games. However, Swimming Australia made the decision, based on Cooper’s behavior and mental health, to send the 18-year-old home from training camp. In his social-media post, Cooper agreed with the move by the governing body.
“More than anything I wish I could be there, racing with my team and cheering them on,” he said. “The team means so much to me and I have made friends for life, but the decision was not made in the interest of the next few weeks, rather the interest for the future of my swimming career. For the next few weeks I will be reflecting and resetting for the future. I will use this time of reflection to also examine the current issues. There are always two sides to a story, and I shall continue to work positively and confidentially with Swimming Australia.”
