Olympian banned after being busted trying to buy drugs in Paris to make shock return for Kookaburras

Tom Craig will pull on the green and gold again next month after completing the behaviour conditions attached to his six-month suspension.

The 29-year-old forward was arrested in Montmartre during last year’s Paris Games after plain-clothes police saw him trying to buy a gram of cocaine.

He spent 18 hours in custody and was released with a probationary warning, but Hockey Australia later imposed a 12-month ban, half of which was suspended.

‘He was dishevelled. He was tired. He was hungry. He was stressed,’ Savage said.

‘My understanding is there was a commotion he may have tried to move away and that was what caused the commotion which is what the players recognised.

‘So if it was that he did try to run away it was very, very short lived and very, very quickly brought under control by both the police and Tom realising that it was time to sit down.’.

Craig apologised for his actions in Paris last year.  

‘I take full responsibility for my actions,’ he said.

‘My actions are my own and by no way reflect the values of family, my teammates, my friends, my sport and the Australian Olympic team.’

‘I’ve embarrassed you all, and I’m truly sorry.’

Australian chef de mission Anna Meares said, ‘I cannot condone what Tom has done.’

‘He is a good person who made a bad decision. But there are consequences that come with decisions like this.

‘Our team has been exemplary at these games. And his actions do not reflect the values of this team. Nor do they diminish this team’s performances.

‘He has apologised, shown remorse, and he has owned up to his mistake, and we will support him if he needs help.’

Hockey Australia confirmed that Craig satisfied all integrity conditions, including education modules and regular welfare checks.

Craig will headline Mark Hager’s 22-man squad for the FIH Pro League swing through Belgium, England and Germany.

Australia sit sixth on the ladder, four points adrift of leaders England, with eight matches remaining.

The run begins against India in Antwerp on 14 June and continues with stops in London and Berlin.

‘It’s fantastic to have the experience of Blake, Tom and Lachie back in our side for this tour,’ Hager said.

‘Blake with his goalscoring capabilities, combined with Tom, who brings speed to our front line, and Lachie’s versatility through the middle.

‘The biggest bonus for us is having the full squad together again, with the exception of a few who were unavailable for selection due to injury.

‘It’s the first tour since I’ve been at the helm where we have the luxury of a near full squad.

‘We’ve had players in the India Hockey League, playing in Europe or being managed through injury, so to have a high percentage of the squad in Europe is a big plus.

‘This is a great group, with plenty of speed, particularly through the midfield, along with a lot of experience, but we know we need to hit the ground running when we arrive in Belgium.

We have four days to come together to ensure we gel on the pitch from game one.’

Proven sharpshooter Blake Govers and industrious midfielder Lachlan Sharp also rejoin the squad after stints overseas.

Co-captain Jake Harvie has been ruled out with a groin injury, clearing the path for his younger brother Tom to cement a place.

Hockey Australia believes the blend of returning Olympians and emerging talent will provide the spark needed for a late surge.