In a surprising turn of events, a member of the Australian Olympic hockey team was detained in Paris for reportedly attempting to purchase cocaine. Thomas Craig, a 28-year-old athlete who secured a silver medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, was arrested late Tuesday in the city’s ninth arrondissement, a popular spot filled with theaters and shops.
According to the Paris Public Prosecutor’s office, law enforcement officers observed what they described as a “cocaine transaction,” leading to the arrest of both Craig and the alleged dealer. The seller was found in possession of several illicit substances, including 75 ecstasy pills, 3 grams of 2-MMC, and seven vials of cocaine.
The Australian Olympic Committee acknowledged the situation in a statement released on Wednesday, saying: “An Australian hockey team member is in custody following an arrest in Paris on August 6. No charges have been filed yet. The AOC is gathering information and providing support to the team member.”
The investigation has been transferred to the Narcotics Brigade. Interestingly, in France, being caught with less than ten grams of cocaine could lead to a $163.79 fine.
Craig’s arrest follows the Australian men’s hockey team’s elimination from the Olympics, as they lost 2-0 to the Netherlands in the quarter-finals. David Pryles, Hockey Australia’s CEO, took to X (formerly Twitter) to commend the team, stating, “Incredible group of athletes and staff we have at Hockey Australia, Hockeyroos, and Kookaburras. With the right people, culture, and values, you can accomplish great things. There’s only upside from here.”
Having made over 100 appearances for the Kookaburras, Craig also achieved a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games in 2018.
This incident adds to the list of controversies surrounding the Paris Olympics. Notably, tennis star Serena Williams drew attention after claiming she was denied entry to a local restaurant, which later apologized, explaining they were fully booked. Additionally, Paraguayan swimmer Luana Alonso denied leaving the Olympic Village due to an “inappropriate atmosphere,” leaving many curious about the details before returning to her studies in the U.S.