Olympics star issues grovelling apology after being arrested for buying cocaine in Paris
Tom Craig was arrested for allegedly buying cocaine
GETTY
Australian hockey player Tom Craig has issued an apology for making a 'terrible mistake' after his arrest for allegedly buying cocaine in Paris.
Craig spent the night in a Paris police station after being caught making the alleged purchase on the streets of the French capital.
He was released with a warning and did not receive a conviction or fine, however faces possible sanctions from Hockey Australia.
“I’d firstly like to apologise for what has occurred in the last 24 hours," Craig said.
Tom Craig was arrested for allegedly buying cocaine
GETTY
"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 team-mates, my friends, my sport, and the Australian Olympic team.
"I’ve embarrassed you all. I’m truly sorry.”
Hockey Australia are set to start a disciplinary procedure into the alleged incident with high performance director Bernard Strange claiming Craig acted alone.
He said: “It is our understanding that Tom was acting alone, and the only events that brought the players or him to the players attention was him indeed being arrested.”
Australia’s chef de mission Anna Meares added: “He is a good person who made a bad decision.
"But there are consequences for decisions like this.
“He has apologised, shown remorse, he has owned up to his mistake, and we will support him if he needs help.”
The Australians lost to the Netherlands in the quarter-finals
GETTY
Meares, who won a total of 18 global gold medals in her cycling career, also detailed how Craig's team-mates reacted to the arrest.
“They heard the commotion, went out and saw that Tom had been arrested," she added.
"They spoke with police officers, the arresting officers, were able to follow to the police station concerned for Tom’s welfare, and from there, they reached out to Tom’s family who reached out to our lawyers.”
LATEST SPORT NEWS:
- Team GB star George Mills goes berserk at French athlete after falling in chaotic Olympic 5000m heat
- Olympic boxing controversy as Lin Yu-ting's beaten opponent becomes second fighter to make protest
- 'Are you crazy?' - Olympic cameraman narrowly avoids catastrophic disaster in another Paris 2024 gaffe
Australia’s chef de mission Anna Meares called Tom Craig a 'good person'
GETTY
Craig's arrest came after the Australians were knocked out of the men's hockey tournament at the Olympics.
They lost 2-0 to the Netherlands in the quarter-finals on Sunday, ending their medal hopes.
You may like
