Olympic star barred from athletes' village admits to making 'terrible mistake' that could haunt him for life

Australia's Tom Craig has admitted to making a 'terrible mistake' after being removed from the Olympic Village at Paris 2024.

Craig was named as part of the Australia men's hockey team that won a silver medal at the Tokyo 2020 Games.

But they were knocked out at the quarter-final stage in Paris after losing 2-0 to the Netherlands.

Then on Tuesday evening, the Paris prosecutor's office announced that an individual had been arrested on suspicion of buying cocaine.

It later emerged that the individual in question was Craig, who has over 100 international caps for Australia.

He was subsequently released with a warning and received no conviction or fine, but it was confirmed by Australia's chef de mission that Craig had left the Olympic Village.

The 28-year-old has also lost his Olympic privileges in Paris meaning he cannot return to the Village or attend Sunday's closing ceremony, as per Australian outlet Herald Sun.

In a statement, Paris prosecutors said: "Police officers who witnessed a cocaine transaction at the foot of a building in the 9th arrondissement (of Paris) on the night of August 6 to 7, 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."

The dealer, who is 17, could not be named because of his age.

Now, Craig has released a statement of his own in which he apologised for his behaviour.

"I'd firstly like to apologise for what has occurred in the last 24 hours," he began. "I made a terrible mistake.

WATCH

Aussie men’s hockey player Tom Craig has addressed the media after being released from police custody after being arrested for trying to buy cocaine on a night out in Paris. He has escaped with an admonishment and no fine @smh https://t.co/qB2WMaNFFO pic.twitter.com/XcFmIfIlPP

— Michael Chammas (@MichaelChammas) August 7, 2024

"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."