When Swimming Australia introduced teenage sensation Isaac Cooper had been despatched dwelling for ‘use of medication’ forward of the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham on Wednesday, the shock transfer raised extra questions than it answered.
There are actually claims the 19-year-old was made a ‘scapegoat’, and that different members of the Australian Dolphins swim group have been concerned in misbehaviour throughout the pre-Games camp in France.
The mysterious reasoning behind Cooper being despatched dwelling piqued the curiosity of swimming followers and former legends alike, with Olympic champion Leisel Jones commenting on how uncommon it is for an athlete to be despatched dwelling from such a big occasion – which is on account of start subsequent week.
Isaac Cooper after setting a nationwide file within the 50-metre backstroke on the 2022 Australian Swimming Championships in Adelaide earlier this yr
Even Australia’s chef de mission for the Games, former swimming legend Petria Thomas, admitted they ‘do not have the small print’ surrounding the incident.
News Corp reported that some insiders alleged Cooper had been made a ‘scapegoat’, and wasn’t the one one to misbehave, whereas one referred to as his omission from the sport ‘over-the-top.’
There are additionally reviews that a ‘occasion’ was had – however whether or not that was what led to Cooper being despatched dwelling is one other matter completely.
Swimming Australia introduced Cooper had been despatched dwelling from the Dolphins’ pre-Games coaching camp in France on account of private points in a 6am press launch on Wednesday.
‘Cooper has been despatched dwelling from the Dolphins coaching camp following some wellbeing challenges, together with the usage of medication,’ Swimming Australia stated in a assertion.
‘He has acknowledged his errors and accepted the results, and Swimming Australia will proceed to help him as he addresses these challenges.’
Isaac Cooper competes in a medley relay throughout the 2022 World Championships
Isaac Cooper after ending third within the 50m backstroke semi closing on the 2022 World Championships in Bupadest, Hungary
Jones, a fashionable three-time Olympic gold medallist, stated on her Triple M radio show that the circumstances surrounding Cooper’s mysterious banishing have been very ‘unusual’.
‘I do not know what that (use of medication) means, I do not know what that means (and) I’m positive a lot of individuals will make a lot of assumptions about what that probably could possibly be and it could possibly be a multitude of many, many alternative issues,’ she stated.
‘This is very unusual from Swimming Australia. I do not know of many individuals, you would most likely depend on one hand, who’ve been despatched dwelling from camps like this.’
Swimming Australia has reportedly denied there was any kind of repeat of the notorious Stilnox incident on the 2012 London Olympics.
The ‘Stilnox Six’: Eamon Sullivan, James Magnussen, Matt Targett, James Roberts, Tommaso D’Orsogna and Cameron McEvoy took half in a bonding session involving the prescription sleeping tablet and have been disciplined by Swimming Australia.
During the bonding session in addition they performed pranks on fellow swimmers, one thing they described as ‘infantile’ and ‘silly’ on the time.
Isaac Cooper catches his breath after competing within the 100m backstroke semi finals on the Tokyo Olympics final yr
The indisputable fact that there aren’t any particulars surrounding what the medication was, or what the incident was, is the proverbial moth to the flame for followers, former swimming legends and media personalities.
As Jones stated, being despatched dwelling is an ultra-rare occasion, which might lead folks to consider that regardless of the incident was; it was critical.
Isaac Cooper celebrates profitable the National 50m backstroke title in May this yr
Questions have additionally been raised concerning the Dolphins uncommon preparation for the Games.
Following the World Championships in Budapest that completed on June 26, as much as 38 athletes and help workers remained in Europe previous to the official camp in Chartres, France.
It was a preparation Jones labelled ‘irregular’, with swimmers having fun with down-time in Switzerland, Barcelona and Paris, amongst others.
A group hub was arrange in Barcelona, and swimmers have been reportedly allowed to coach once they wished.
Leisel Jones, pictured throughout the 2012 London Olympics, has raised doubts about Swimming Australia’s preparation for the Commonwealth Games
Jones wasn’t positive whether or not it was the correct preparation for such a huge occasion.
‘That is very irregular and we’ve got by no means carried out that earlier than. That is what I feel has been a little bit of a problem right here whether or not folks have switched off an excessive amount of,’ she stated.
Cooper had been set to make his Games debut in 4 occasions: 50 and 100m backstroke, 50m butterfly and 50m freestyle.
He competed within the 100m backstroke and 4 x 100m combined medley relay on the 2020 Tokyo Olympics final yr, and was anticipated to compete for medals in Birmingham.
The teenager broke the National Record for the 50m backstroke on the National Championships on the Adelaide in May, with a scorching 24.44.
Cooper (far left) celebrates being chosen within the Commonwealth Games group earlier this yr, previous to being despatched dwelling in shame
He additionally got here first within the 100m backstroke, with a third placings within the 50m butterfly and 50m freestyle.
He gained a bronze medal in Tokyo for his half within the combined medley relay, and promisingly completed eighth within the 50m backstroke on the World Championships in Bupadest final month.
That’s why being despatched dwelling previous to a Commonwealth Games is such a shattering blow to {the teenager}.
And it leaves the swimming group beneath immense strain, but once more, with the Games on account of begin subsequent Thursday.