Kookaburra’s Tom Craig gets 12-month ban after cocaine bust at Paris 2024 Olympics

Kookaburras player Tom Craig has been banned for 12 months by Hockey Australia following his arrest at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Craig was arrested by French police after they spotted him attempting to buy cocaine in the 9th arrondissement of Paris after the Kookaburras lost in the quarter-finals to eventual champions the Netherlands.

He was released without charge but given a warning.

The 29-year-old is banned from any Hockey Australia-run competition, including the national Hockey One League season, where he played for New South Wales Pride, and the international Pro League.

It is not yet clear whether Craig will play in the Euro Hockey League, where he has a contract with Hamburger, based in Hamburg, Germany.

He is eligible for selection for the sixth best Kookaburras in 2025, with the selection expected to be announced later this year.

Hockey Australia said in a statement that six months of the ban will be served in full, with six months suspended “subject to compliance with conduct and behaviour requirements”.

Craig apologized for what he called a “terrible mistake” when he was released from police custody the day after his arrest.

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“I take full responsibility for my actions,” Craig said in Paris.

“My actions are my own actions and in no way reflect the values ​​of my family, my teammates, my friends, my sport or the Australian Olympic team.

“I have embarrassed you all, and I am truly sorry.”

Hockey Australia said Craig’s welfare “remains our priority” and he will continue to access athlete support services during his suspension.

Craig played all six matches for Australia at the Olympics, scoring once in the 3-2 group stage defeat to India.

He won a silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics with the Kookaburras and played 142 games for his country.

In Paris, Australia’s chef de mission Anna Meares said Craig was “a good person who made a bad decision” and stripped him of his Olympic privileges.

Hockey Australia and Craig said they would have no further comment.