Olympian Thomas Craig Was Detained in Paris for Allegedly Trying to Buy Cocaine

Thomas Craig, an Olympic field hockey medallist, was detained in Paris on Tuesday, August 6, allegedly for attempting to buy cocaine.

In a statement released on Wednesday, August 7, the Paris Public Prosecutor’s Office said that local law enforcement officers had observed a “cocaine transaction” in the 9th arrondissement of Paris. The 28-year-old Team Australia athlete who was the buyer was also taken into custody by the officers.

The Australian Olympic Committee announced on Wednesday, August 7, in a statement that did not identify Craig, that “an Australian hockey team member is in custody after being arrested in Paris on August 6.”

“No accusations have been made. The AOC is still reaching out and setting up the team member’s assistance.

The Narcotics Brigade has taken up the investigation, per the prosecutor’s statement. Possession of less than 10 grams of cocaine can result in a fine of $163.79 in France.

Wednesday, after being freed from police detention for a few hours, Craig spoke up about the incident.

“Let me start by apologizing for everything that has happened over the past 24 hours. I made a very bad error. Craig spoke to reporters outside the police station, “I accept full responsibility for my actions.” “My acts are entirely personal and do not represent the ideals of my friends, family, sport, or the Australian Olympic team in any way. You’re all humiliated by me. I apologize sincerely.

Craig’s second Olympic Games will be in Paris in 2024. In the past, he assisted the Kookaburras, the Australian field hockey team, in winning the silver medal in Tokyo. This year’s squad did not perform as well.

After falling to the Netherlands 2-0 in the quarterfinals, the men’s field hockey team was eliminated.

Craig has always been open about his experiences in the game.

“We had the good fortune to travel quite a bit and live in Canada for a year,” he remarked in an interview for the “Hockey Australia” podcast in March 2021. ”

After returning to Australia, we became somewhat fixated on ice hockey.” We wanted to participate, but we had to attempt field hockey before we could play ice hockey. Mom was apprehensive about the expense.

“I remember going to training at my first [club] and I just loved it,” Craig continued. I enjoyed going outside, playing with friends, and racing about. From then on, I sort of stuck with it.”

Alice Arnott, Craig’s girlfriend, is an Australian field hockey player as well. Arnott, a 25-year-old, participated in the Olympics in Paris as a member of the women’s Hockeyroos team. The women’s team was eliminated from the running for medals as well.