Australia’s Isaac Cooper Reflects On Troubles From 2022 Commonwealth Games

2026 Commonwealth Games

• July 24th – July 29th (pool swimming)
• Glasgow, Scotland
• Tollcross International Swimming Centre
• LCM (50m)
• Meet Central
• Preview Index

We’re on the eve of action beginning at the 2026 Commonwealth Games, where teams stemming from Canada, England, Wales, New Zealand and beyond are getting their final preparations underway for the elite multi-sport affair.

This includes the Australian squad, headlined by superstars Mollie O’Callaghan, Lani Pallister and Kyle Chalmers.

Also among the Aussies is 22-year-old backstroke ace Isaac Cooper, with the Olympic medalist hoping to have a completely different experience than what transpired in the early stages of the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham four years ago.

As we reported at the time, a then-18-year-old Cooper was sent home from the Australian team training camp in Spain following some “wellbeing challenges” that included the use of medication, according to a 2022 statement from Swimming Australia.

“He has acknowledged his mistakes and accepted the consequences, and Swimming Australia will continue to support him as he addresses these challenges,” the statement read at the time of the incident.

A few days later, Cooper released his own thoughts on the situation, stating, “The last few days have been tough. I’ve had to undergo a lot of self-reflection and examination. The decision made to send me home was based on my behavior and mental health and was made in my best interest and that of the team competing at the Commonwealth Games.

“My misuse of medication was not banned substances. It was ultimately my well-being and mental health that resulted in me going home.”

A changed swimmer with Glasgow hardware on his mind, Cooper recently spoke with Tom Decent of The Sydney Morning Herald about what transpired, how he’s changed and other reflections ahead of the competition.

The Incident

Cooper tells Decent, “I had gone to the team doctor to get some sleeping medication. I had already been prescribed sleeping medication and this doctor prescribed me with a different medication, which had different effects.

“As a result of that, it had appeared as though I had taken more medication than I actually had. When I was asked about how much medication I had actually used, I was covering for the person that I shared it with. I was never able to expose that and I would never expose that [person]. But then I had to deal with the consequences of being seen to be someone who was misusing medication.”

Aussie Team’s Reaction

“My teammates always understood what was happening. I received a lot of support. They all felt what happened to me was an overreaction. They knew that I hadn’t really done anything wrong to be deserving of being sent all the way home.”

Now

Aussie Head Coach Rohan Taylor says, “He’s grown up in himself. He’s really worked on what it means to have a positive impact on the team. I’ve got a really strong relationship with Isaac and I’m very proud of the young man he is.

Cooper says, “I’ve had in my mind for the last four years I want to be able to go to these Commonwealth Games, stand on top [of the podium] and be able to turn everything around and have something to show for it.”

You can read Decent’s entire The Sydney Morning Herald article here.

At this year’s Australian Trials, Cooper placed first in the men’s 50m back in 24.46 and led the 100m backstroke heats in 54.37 before dropping the final of that longer sprint. His time would have ultimately placed second behind 17-year-old Henry Allan‘s podium-topping performance.

Cooper’s 50m back is his best shot at a medal, ranked 11th in the world at the moment with his biggest competition represented by England’s Oliver Morgan.