Australian ground hockey participant Tom Craig has been suspended for three hundred and sixty five days nearest being arrested for allegedly purchasing cocaine all through the Paris Olympics.
Hockey Australia has imposed the prevent at the 29-year-old following an investigation through the governing frame’s integrity unit. The second one six months of the prevent can be suspended if behavioural necessities are met.
The suspense will block Craig from competing in any fit organised through Hockey Australia, however he’ll proceed to have get entry to to the governing frame’s athlete backup services and products.
A Hockey Australia observation learn: “Following an investigation into the arrest involving National Men’s Hockey Team athlete Tom Craig at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, Hockey Australia’s Integrity Unit has imposed a 12-month suspension. Six months of this suspension will be served fully, with the remaining six months fully suspended, contingent upon meeting conduct and behavioural requirements.
“During the suspension, Craig will be prohibited from playing in any match, competition, or event at any level sanctioned or organised by Hockey Australia, including the upcoming Hockey One League and FIH Pro League seasons. Additionally, Craig is required to complete mandatory training and education programs as part of his sanction.
“Craig will remain eligible for selection in the 2025 National Men’s Hockey Squad, which is expected to be announced at the end of the year. Tom has had access to all of the athlete support services under our program and he will continue to do so throughout his suspension. His welfare remains our priority.
“The sanction takes effect from Monday, 9 September 2024.”
The Australian Nationwide Olympic Committee mentioned in a observation to Reuters utmost era that Craig was once discharged with out being charged however won a threat from a French pass judgement on following his arrest in Paris.
The alleged incident took playground nearest Australia have been eradicated through the Netherlands within the quarter-finals of the lads’s Olympic ground hockey match.
Ahead of his let go, the Paris prosecutor’s place of business instructed 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 August 6th to 7th, apprehended the seller, born in December 2006, and the buyer, born in September 1995 in Australia and who is said to be a member of the Australian field hockey team.
“Given the quantities of drugs seized from the seller, the investigation has been entrusted to the anti-narcotics police.”
Craig publicly apologised and took “full responsibility” for his movements following his let go.
“I’d firstly like to apologise for what has occurred (over) the past 24 hours,” Craig mentioned on August 7. “I made a terrible mistake. I take full responsibility for my actions.
“My actions are my own and by no way reflect the values of my family, my teammates, my friends, my sport and the Australian Olympic team. I’ve embarrassed you all, and I’m truly sorry.”
Craig was once a part of the Australia facet that received silver at Tokyo 2020 and gold on the 2018 Commonwealth Video games.
(Ahmad Gharabli/AFP by means of Getty Pictures)
