Olympic player suspended over attempted cocaine purchase

Australia’s Thomas Craig, left, and Netherlands’ Thierry Brinkman jump to reach for the ball during the men’s quarterfinal field hockey match between Australia and Netherlands at the Yves-du-Manoir Stadium during the 2024 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024, in Colombes, France. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)

SYDNEY — Field hockey player Tom Craig has been suspended for 12 months by the sport’s Australian governing body for attempting to purchase cocaine at the Paris Olympics.

Craig was arrested but released without charge after trying to purchase the drug in Paris on Aug. 7 during a night out after his Olympic campaign ended.

He faced Australian media in Paris after French prosecutors issued a statement confirming the now 29-year-old Olympian — a silver medalist at Tokyo three years ago — was given a criminal warning and released after spending a night in custody.

READ: Australian Olympic player apologizes after trying to buy cocaine

“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,” the Hockey Australia statement said Wednesday.

“Six months of this suspension will be served fully, with the remaining six months fully suspended, contingent upon meeting conduct and behavioral requirements.”

Hockey Australia said Craig would remain eligible for selection to the 2025 national men’s squad which is expected to be announced at the end of this year.

The Australian men’s team placed sixth in Paris.