- Australian Olympic hockey player apologises after Paris cocaine arrest
- “I’d firstly like to apologise for what has occurred in the last 24 hours. I made a terrible mistake. I take full responsibility for my actions”
- Craig has moved out of the Olympic Village and will lose his remaining privileges at the Paris 2024 Games
- Both the Australian men’s and women’s hockey teams were knocked out in the quarter-finals.
Australian Olympic hockey player apologises after Paris cocaine arrest
Australian hockey player Tom Craig has issued an apology after being released from custody in Paris, following his arrest for allegedly buying cocaine. The Paris prosecutor’s office confirmed that an individual was arrested on Tuesday night for purchasing cocaine in the city’s ninth arrondissement. Craig was released with a warning, avoiding conviction or a fine.
“I’d firstly like to apologise for what has occurred in the last 24 hours. I made a terrible mistake. I take full responsibility for my actions,” Craig said as he left the police office.
“My actions are my own and in no way reflect the values of my family, my team-mates, my friends, my sport, and the Australian Olympic team. I’ve embarrassed you all. I’m truly sorry.”
Craig, 28, who won a silver medal at the Tokyo 2020 Games and has over 100 appearances for Australia, has faced immediate repercussions. Australia’s chef de mission, Anna Meares, expressed relief at his release but condemned his actions.
Aussie Olympian Tom Craig says he's "truly sorry" after being arrested but released without charge after trying to purchase cocaine in Paris.
— ABC SPORT (@abcsport) August 7, 2024
Chef de Mission Anna Meares says Craig has left the Village, and has had his privileges removed.
Read more: https://t.co/yqkbyOsFuZ pic.twitter.com/RXS2fkbYmS
She added: “He is a good person who made a bad decision. But there are consequences for decisions like this.
“He has apologised, shown remorse, he has owned up to his mistake, and we will support him if he needs help.”
Craig has moved out of the Olympic Village and will lose his remaining privileges at the Paris 2024 Games, where both the Australian men’s and women’s hockey teams were knocked out in the quarter-finals.
Before his release, the prosecutor’s office said: “Police officers who witnessed a cocaine transaction at the foot of a building in the 9th arrondissement (of Paris), on the night of August 6th to 7th, apprehended the seller, born in December 2006, and the buyer, born in September 1995 in Australia and who is said to be a member of the Australian field hockey team.
“Given the quantities of drugs seized from the seller, the investigation has been entrusted to the anti-narcotics police.”