Tom Craig, an Australian hockey player, has been handed a one-year suspension after an incident involving cocaine. According to a statement from Hockey Australia, Craig will serve a minimum of six months of the ban, which started on September 9. If he complies with specific conduct requirements, the remaining six months of the suspension will be lifted.
The 29-year-old athlete was detained by French police after allegedly attempting to purchase cocaine in Paris, just days after Australia was eliminated in the quarter-finals of the Olympic Games. Though Craig was released without formal charges, he was issued a stern warning by the judge overseeing the case.
“Craig is required to complete mandatory training and education programs as part of his sanction,” read the Hockey Australia statement. “Tom has had access to all of the athlete support services in our program, and he will continue to receive these services throughout his suspension. His welfare remains a priority.”
Craig will be eligible for selection for Australia’s 2025 hockey squad, with the team expected to be announced later this year.
Following his release, Craig admitted to making “a terrible mistake” and expressed regret to those affected by his actions, including his family, friends, teammates, and the Australian Olympic team.
“I have embarrassed you all and am truly sorry,” Craig said in a statement.
Anna Meares, the Chef de Mission for the Australian team in Paris, referred to Craig as “a good person who made a bad decision.”
Craig, who made his international debut in 2014, has represented Australia in over 100 matches. He was part of the team that won a silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. In 2018, he made headlines by scoring a hat-trick against England at the World Cup in India, securing a bronze medal for Australia.
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