Australian Hockey Player Tom Craig Apologizes Following Arrest in Paris for Alleged Cocaine Purchase
Australian hockey player Tom Craig has issued a public apology after being released from custody in Paris following his arrest on suspicion of purchasing cocaine. The Paris prosecutor’s office confirmed that an individual was detained on Tuesday night in the city’s ninth arrondissement for allegedly buying an illegal substance.
Craig, released with a warning and did not face any charges or fines, expressed deep regret for his actions. “I want to start by apologizing for the events of the last 24 hours. I made a grave mistake, and I take full responsibility for what I did,” Craig stated as he left the police station.
He continued, “My actions are solely mine and do not reflect the values of my family, teammates, friends, my sport, or the Australian Olympic team. I have let everyone down, and I am truly sorry.”
The 28-year-old athlete, who secured a silver medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and has represented Australia in over 100 international matches, acknowledged the gravity of his actions and the embarrassment they have caused.
Australia’s Chef de Mission, Anna Meares, responded to the incident by expressing relief that Craig had been released but emphasized that his behaviour was unacceptable. “Tom is a good person who made a poor decision. However, decisions like this come with consequences,” Meares stated. “He has apologized, shown remorse, and taken ownership of his mistake. We will offer him support if he needs it.”
In the wake of the incident, Meares confirmed that Craig has voluntarily moved out of the Olympic Village and will forfeit his remaining privileges at the Games.
Before Craig’s release, the prosecutor’s office provided details of the arrest, stating, “On the night of August 6th to 7th, police officers observed a cocaine transaction at the foot of a building in the 9th arrondissement. They apprehended the seller, born in December 2006, and the buyer, born in September 1995 in Australia, who is believed to be a member of the Australian field hockey team. Given the quantity of drugs seized from the seller, the case has been referred to the anti-narcotics police.”
The Australian men’s and women’s hockey teams were eliminated in the quarter-final stage of the Paris 2024 Olympics.
