Australian men’s field hockey player Tom Craig was arrested and placed in custody after allegedly attempting to buy cocaine during the 2024 Paris Games, according to multiple reports.
Craig, 28, departed a team function Tuesday night and just 15 minutes later was arrested for allegedly buying one gram of cocaine from a street dealer, per the Herald Sun .
“I’d firstly like to apologize for what has occurred the past 24 hours,” Craig said Wednesday, as captured by the Sydney Morning Herald . “I made a terrible mistake. I take full responsibility for my actions.
“My actions are my own and by no way reflect the values of my family, my teammates, my friends, my sport and the Australian Olympic team. I’ve embarrassed you all, and I’m truly sorry.”
Australian men’s field hockey player Tom Craig was arrested and placed in custody after allegedly attempting to buy cocaine. REUTERS
Australia’s men’s hockey team run at the Paris Olympics ended Sunday with a 2-0 quarterfinals loss to the Netherlands, and the Herald Sun reported several of the team members went out on the town Tuesday.
Team members had been told they had 48 hours to leave the Olympic Village after their ouster but could potentially stay longer, per the Herald Sun.
The Paris police department released a statement saying officers “witnessed a cocaine transaction at the foot of a building in the 9th arrondissement” between a 17-year-old supplier and a 28-year-old buyer who “is said” to be a member of Australia’s field hockey team.
Craig, 28, departed a team function Tuesday night and just 15 minutes later was arrested. REUTERS
The dealer was also arrested and taken into custody. REUTERS
The police statement did not provide specifics on the amount of drugs involved, but the dealer, who was also arrested and taken into custody, allegedly had seven cocaine vials and 75 ecstasy pills in their possession, according to the Herald Sun Report.
The Australian Olympic Committee later confirmed a member of the team had been arrested, while qualifying that “no charges have been laid.”
Team members had been told they had 48 hours to leave the Olympic Village after their ouster. REUTERS
Craig held his short press conference in front of a small gathering of reporters Wednesday before walking off without taking any questions.
“The AOC is continuing to make inquiries and arrange support for the Team member,” the statement read, per the Herald Sun.
Australia’s Tom Craig was arrested for allegedly buying cocaine. DeFodi Images via Getty Images Tom Craig celebrates after scoring at the Olympics on Aug. 2, 2024. Getty Images
The Herald Sun reported that Craig seems “unlikely” to face more than a fine due to a 2020 law in France that limits punishments for those caught with small amounts of narcotics, including less than five grams of cocaine.
Craig could pay as little as 150€ (roughly $164).
The forward, hailing from New South Wales, won a silver medal with Australia during the Tokyo games in 2021 and made his first Olympics appearance in the 2016 Rio Games.
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