An Australian Olympic field hockey player at the Paris Olympics has apologized after being caught trying to buy cocaine from a teenager.
Tom Craig, 28, was allegedly caught buying a gram of the drug from a 17-year-old dealer, who was said by police to have been carrying a range of drugs also including ketamine, ecstasy, methedrone and MDMA, the French daily Libération reported.
The incident happened on Tuesday night at the bottom of a building in the Pigalle neighborhood of northern Paris, famed for its nightlife and red-light district. The young dealer had reportedly been under the surveillance of police, who swooped in to arrest both men.
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Craig was part of the highly fancied Kookaburras team that lost 2-0 to the Netherlands in the quarterfinals on Sunday, meaning he was no longer up for drugs testing in Paris.
The Daily Mail reports that he made a brief statement after released on Wednesday afternoon with no prosecution and no fine.
“I’d firstly like to apologize for what has occurred over the past 24 hours. I made a terrible mistake and I take full responsibility for my actions,” he said.
“My actions are my own and in no way reflect the values of my family, my teammates, my friends, my sport and the Australian Olympic Committee. I’ve embarrassed you all and I’m truly sorry.”
His arrest, shortly after midnight on Tuesday, came soon he left a Kookaburras team event in Paris. Cocaine is officially proscribed as a performance-enhancing drug, as well as being illegal in France.
The Olympic Committee confirmed the arrest.
“No charges have been laid,” the AOC said. “The AOC is continuing to make inquiries and arrange support for the Team member.”
