Australian hockey player Tom Craig has been banned for 12 months after being arrested for allegedly buying cocaine at the Paris Olympics.
Hockey Australia 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 behaviour requirements are met.
The suspension means Craig will no longer be allowed to compete in any matches organised by Hockey Australia, but he will still have access to the umbrella organisation’s sport support services.
A statement from Hockey Australia said: “Following an investigation into the arrest of national men’s hockey team athlete Tom Craig at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Hockey Australia’s Integrity Unit has imposed a 12-month suspension. Six months of this suspension will be served in full, with the remaining six months suspended in full, subject to compliance with conduct and behaviour requirements.
“During the suspension, Craig will not be permitted to participate in any matches, competitions or events at any level sanctioned or organised by Hockey Australia, including the upcoming seasons of the Hockey One League and FIH Pro League. In addition, Craig will be required to complete mandatory training and education programs as part of his sanction.
“Craig remains eligible for selection to the 2025 National Men’s Hockey Squad, which is expected to be announced later this year. Tom has had access to all athlete support services under our program and will continue to do so during his suspension. His well-being remains our priority.”
“The sanction will take effect on Monday, September 9, 2024.”
The Australian National Olympic Committee told Reuters in a statement last month that Craig had been released without charge but had been given a warning by a French judge following his arrest in Paris.
The alleged incident occurred after Australia was knocked out of the Olympic men’s hockey tournament by the Netherlands in the quarter-finals.
Before his release, the Paris Public 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 6 to 7 August, arrested the seller, born in December 2006, and the buyer, born in September 1995 in Australia and said to be a member of the Australian hockey team.
“Given the quantities of drugs seized from the seller, the investigation has been entrusted to the anti-drug police.”
Craig publicly apologized and took “full responsibility” for his actions after his release.
“I want to first of all apologize for what happened over the last 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 in no way reflect the values of my family, my teammates, my friends, my sport or the Australian Olympic team. I have caused you all embarrassment and for that I am truly sorry.”
Craig was part of the Australian team that won silver at Tokyo 2020 and gold at the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
(Ahmad Gharabli/AFP via Getty Images)
