Australian hockey player banned for 12 months after allegedly buying cocaine during Olympics

Australian field hockey player Tom Craig has been suspended for 12 months after being arrested for allegedly buying cocaine during the Paris Olympics.

Hockey Australia has imposed the ban on the 29-year-old following an investigation by the governing body’s integrity unit. The second six months of the ban will be suspended if behavioural requirements are met.

The suspension will prevent Craig from competing in any match organised by Hockey Australia, but he will continue to have access to the governing body’s athlete support services.

A Hockey Australia statement read: “Following an investigation into the arrest involving National Men’s Hockey Team athlete Tom Craig at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, Hockey Australia’s Integrity Unit has imposed a 12-month suspension. Six months of this suspension will be served fully, with the remaining six months fully suspended, contingent upon meeting conduct and behavioural requirements.

“During the suspension, Craig will be prohibited from playing in any match, competition, or event at any level sanctioned or organised by Hockey Australia, including the upcoming Hockey One League and FIH Pro League seasons. Additionally, Craig is required to complete mandatory training and education programs as part of his sanction.

“Craig will remain eligible for selection in the 2025 National Men’s Hockey Squad, which is expected to be announced at the end of the year. Tom has had access to all of the athlete support services under our program and he will continue to do so throughout his suspension. His welfare remains our priority.

“The sanction takes effect from Monday, 9 September 2024.”

The Australian National Olympic Committee said in a statement to Reuters last month that Craig was released without being charged but received a warning from a French judge following his arrest in Paris.

The alleged incident took place after Australia were eliminated by the Netherlands in the quarter-finals of the men’s Olympic field hockey tournament.

Before his release, the Paris prosecutor’s office told the BBC: “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.”

Craig publicly apologised and took “full responsibility” for his actions following his release.

“I’d firstly like to apologise for what has occurred (over) the past 24 hours,” Craig said on August 7. “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.”

Craig was part of the Australia side that won silver at Tokyo 2020 and gold at the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

(Ahmad Gharabli/AFP via Getty Images)