An Australian men's hockey Olympian has been arrested after allegedly trying to buy cocaine in Paris.
A reporter from news outlet Europe 1 revealed an Australian athlete was arrested, announcing the news on X on Wednesday.
“A member of the Australian field hockey team was arrested last night after buying cocaine in a street in the 9th arrondissement of Paris,” Jean-Baptiste Marty wrote on X.
“The seller, carrying 75 ecstasy tablets, 3g of 3 MMC and 7 vials of cocaine, was also arrested.”
The AOC confirmed Craig was the Australian Olympian arrested.
The 28-year-old Kookaburras striker reportedly attended a team function with Australian hockey players on Tuesday night and was caught allegedly trying to buy cocaine from a dealer only 15 minutes after he left.
The AOC confirmed the arrest in a statement on Wednesday night.
“The Australian Olympic Committee has confirmed an Australian hockey team member is in custody after being arrested in Paris on August 6th,” it said.
“No charges have been laid. The AOC is continuing to make enquiries and arrange support for the Team member.”
The penalty for drug possession in France could be as little as 150 euros ($249).
New laws introduced in 2020 give police the power to issue fines of just 200 euros for people caught possessing small quantities of drugs. This can be reduced to 150 euros if the fine is paid within 15 days.
There has been a huge police presence in Paris during the Games. Up to 30,000 officers are being deployed to the city’s streets every day and officers can often be seen stopping people and checking the content of their bags.
French authorities have reported a huge decrease in crime in the Greater Paris area.
They say thefts fell 24 per cent, car thefts 10 per cent and violent crime on public transport fell 40 per cent during the first week of the Games.
The Incident
The arrest comes after a disappointing Olympics for the Australian hockey team, with both the men’s and women’s teams failing to medal. The men’s team, the Kookaburras, lost to the Netherlands in the quarterfinals, while the women’s team, the Hockeyroos, lost to China.
Craig is a veteran of the Kookaburras, having made his debut in 2014 and playing in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics where the team won silver. He is also a lawyer and hosts a hockey podcast called The Help Side.
The Australian Olympic Committee has said it is continuing to make inquiries and arrange support for Craig. The French authorities are still investigating the incident.
A Shocking Incident for Australian Hockey
The arrest of Tom Craig is a shocking incident for Australian hockey. Craig is a respected player and a role model for young athletes. His arrest will likely have a significant impact on the sport in Australia.
The incident is a reminder that even elite athletes are not immune to the temptations of drugs. It is also a reminder that the Olympic Games are not just about sport; they are also about human nature, and all the complexities that come with it.
The Australian Olympic Committee will be under pressure to respond to the incident. The committee will need to balance the need to support Craig with the need to uphold the values of the Olympic movement. It is a difficult task, but one that the committee will need to navigate carefully.
It is still unclear what the long-term consequences of the arrest will be for Craig. He could face a fine or even a prison sentence. He could also be banned from playing hockey for a period of time. The full extent of the impact of this incident on his career remains to be seen.
The arrest of Tom Craig is a reminder that even in the world of elite sport, the human condition can falter. The incident is a reminder that no one is immune to the temptations of drugs, and that the consequences of drug use can be severe. It is a reminder that we all need to be mindful of the choices we make and the impact they can have on our lives and the lives of others.
This incident is sure to have a significant impact on the Australian hockey team and on the sport in Australia. The team will need to move forward and try to focus on the future, but this incident will undoubtedly cast a shadow over the team’s performance for some time to come.
This is a developing story, and we will continue to update it as more information becomes available.
