Former Australian Olympic hockey player Tom Craig fled from French authorities while purchasing cocaine in Paris on Wednesday, as revealed by reports.
The 28-year-old Kookaburras striker was taken into custody on Tuesday night in the Pigalle district of Paris after police noticed him buying drugs near a location in the 9th arrondissement.
Craig, who is also a qualified lawyer, attempted to escape the police but quickly realized he couldn’t outrun them, according to the Herald Sun.
After spending the night in detention, Craig was released on Wednesday afternoon with no charges filed and no fines imposed.
He gave a short statement before departing in a vehicle provided by the Australian Olympic Committee.
‘I want to start by apologizing for what happened in the last 24 hours. I made a grave mistake and take full responsibility for my actions,’ he stated.
‘My actions reflect only on me and do not represent the values of my family, teammates, friends, my sport, or the Australian Olympic Committee. I have embarrassed you all, and I am sincerely sorry.’
Craig faced a summary hearing on Wednesday night (AEST) with his legal team present.
Pictured: Craig sits on the footpath with his hands behind his back in the moments after his arrest in Paris on Wednesday
The 28-year-old is pictured with Australian hockey high performance boss Bernard Savage (left) on his way to tell the media he’d made a ‘terrible mistake’ after being released by police
Craig is pictured with his partner, fellow Aussie Olympics hockey star Alice Arnott
Reports indicate Craig was detained shortly after leaving an Australian team event, following the team’s elimination in the quarter-finals of the Paris Games.
A photograph shows him seated on the pavement with his hands behind his back while officers conducted their investigation immediately after his arrest.
Bernard Savage, the high-performance director for Australian hockey, met with Craig during his time in police custody and observed that he was in distress.
‘He appeared disheveled. He seemed tired, hungry, and stressed,’ Savage remarked.
Emily Seebohm, a four-time Olympian from Australia, suggested a possible reason behind Craig’s troubling behavior when asked about the incident on Thursday.
‘This can often happen in sports after a competition. Athletes might experience post-competition depression when their performances don’t meet their expectations,’ she explained on KIIS 97.3’s Robin & Kip radio show.
‘Many athletes go through phases where they question their future—whether to continue or wait another four years for their next opportunity—and this is when they ponder if they should continue in the sport.’
Aussie Olympics swimming great Emily Seebohm (pictured) said some athletes go off the rails at the Games because they sink into a big depression once their events are over
Australia’s chef de mission in Paris, Anna Meares (pictured), announced Craig has been stripped of all his Games privileges and will not be allowed to attend the closing ceremony
On Thursday morning AEST, Anna Meares, Australia’s chef de mission in Paris, issued a statement regarding Craig’s sanction.
Meares characterized Craig as ‘a good person who made a poor choice, but such actions have consequences.’
‘I cannot condone Tom’s actions,’ Meares stated.
‘Our team has displayed exemplary behavior during these Games, and his decisions do not align with our values or diminish our team’s achievements.
‘He has expressed remorse, acknowledged his error, and we will be there to support him if he seeks help.’
She confirmed that Craig would not be allowed to participate further in the Games.
‘As a result, Tom will forfeit all remaining Olympic privileges. He had already left the Olympic Village, and it is understood he did not plan to attend the Closing Ceremony. Should he have wished to attend, he would not be permitted,’ the former champion cyclist added.
‘Regarding further actions, there is little more we can do since this incident occurred outside the team context.’
