Australian Olympic field hockey player Tom Craig was arrested in Paris early Wednesday on suspicion of purchasing cocaine. The 28-year-old midfielder, who last played for Australia in their quarter-final loss to the Netherlands at the Paris Olympics, was detained around 00:30 am (2230 GMT) following a cocaine transaction near an apartment building.
Craig was found with approximately one gram of cocaine at the time of his arrest. A 17-year-old drug dealer, who was carrying various drugs including 75 ecstasy pills and synthetic substances, was also arrested. The case has been handed to the French anti-narcotics brigade due to the large quantity of drugs involved.
The Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) confirmed that an Australian hockey team member is in custody but noted that no charges have been filed yet. The AOC is providing support to the team member and continues to investigate the situation. The International Olympic Committee has declined to comment on the arrest.
Craig’s arrest follows the Australian men’s hockey team’s quarter-final exit from the Paris 2024 Olympics, where they were defeated 2-0 by the Netherlands.