Australian hockey player Tom Craig has issued an apology after being released from custody in Paris following his arrest for allegedly purchasing cocaine.
The Paris prosecutor’s office confirmed that Craig was arrested on Tuesday night in the ninth arrondissement for involvement in a cocaine transaction but was released with a warning and did not face a conviction or fine.
“I’d firstly like to apologize for what has occurred in the last 24 hours. I made a terrible mistake. I take full responsibility for my actions,” Craig stated as he left the police station. “My actions are my own and do not reflect the values of my family, my teammates, my friends, my sport, and the Australian Olympic team. I’ve embarrassed you all. I’m truly sorry.”
At 28 years old, Craig won a silver medal at the Tokyo 2020 Games and has over 100 caps for the Australian national team.
Australia’s chef de mission, Anna Meares, expressed relief at Craig’s release but stated, “I cannot condone what he has done. He is a good person who made a bad decision. But there are consequences for decisions like this.” She noted that Craig had shown remorse and taken responsibility for his actions. “We will support him if he needs help,” she added.
Meares also mentioned that Craig had already moved out of the Olympic Village and would lose his remaining privileges at the Games.
According to the prosecutor’s office, “Police officers who witnessed a cocaine transaction at the foot of a building in the 9th arrondissement on the night of August 6th to 7th apprehended both the seller and the buyer, who is said to be a member of the Australian field hockey team.” The investigation has been handed over to the anti-narcotics police due to the quantity of drugs seized from the seller.
Both the men’s and women’s Australian hockey teams were eliminated in the quarter-finals at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Credit: BBC Sports
