Men’s hockey star Tom Craig has been stripped of his Olympic athlete privileges by the Australian Olympic Committee after his shock Paris arrest for buying cocaine.
A remorseful Craig fronted the media in central Paris on Wednesday after spending the night in custody, released by police with a warning and escaping without a fine or criminal record.
“I would firstly like to apologise for what has occurred over the last 24 hours,” said the 28-year-old, a 10-year team veteran who was part of the Kookaburras’ Olympic silver medal campaign in Tokyo.
“I made a terrible mistake and 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, the sport and the Australian Olympic team.
“I have embarrassed you all and I’m truly sorry.”
An Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) official then ushered Craig away after his statement without taking questions.
Chef de mission Anna Meares issued a statement late Wednesday, when the AOC should have been celebrating a historic record with the Australian team claiming their 18th gold of the Games.
Meares said Craig was “a good person who had made a poor decision but there are consequences for decisions like this”.
“I cannot condone what Tom has done,” Meares said.
“Our team has been exemplary at these Games and his actions do not reflect the values of the team nor does it diminish this team’s performance.
“He has apologised, shown remorse, he has owned up to his mistake, and we will support him if he needs help.”
She said that Craig could take no further part in the Games.
“As a result, Tom will lose all his remaining Olympic privileges. He had already moved out of the Olympic Village, and I understand he was not intending to return for the Closing Ceremony. If he were, he would not be able to attend,” the former champion cyclist said.
“In terms of our actions, at this point there is not much further we can do as this happened outside the team environment.”
Both Australia’s hockey teams were eliminated from competition at the quarter-final stage before attending a function at their hotel on Tuesday.
The Kookaburras lost 2-0 to Netherlands on Sunday while the women’s team, the Hockeyroos, fell to China 3-2 on Monday.
The Paris Public Prosecutor’s office said Craig was arrested after officers witnessed an attempt to purchase cocaine in the 9th arrondissement.
“Police officers who witnessed a cocaine transaction at the foot of a building in the 9th arrondissement, on the night of August 6 to 7, arrested 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,” a spokesperson said.
