Australian Olympic Hockey Player Arrested in Paris for Alleged Cocaine Purchase

Politics Sports John Brightwater August 7, 2024

Australian Olympic Hockey Player Arrested in Paris for Alleged Cocaine Purchase

An Australian Olympic field hockey player was apprehended in Paris for allegedly attempting to procure cocaine in the French capital on the evening of Tuesday. Although the player’s identity remains undisclosed, the Australian Olympic Committee issued a statement on Wednesday morning addressing the arrest.

According to the official statement, a representative for the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) declared, “The Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) has confirmed an Australian hockey team member is in custody after being arrested in Paris on August 6th. No charges have been laid. The AOC is continuing to make enquiries and arrange support for the team member.”

This development occurred after both the Kookaburras and Hockeyroos were eliminated from competition in Paris following their respective quarter-final losses earlier in the week.

French crime reporter Jean-Baptiste Marty, affiliated with the radio network Europe1, was the first to report on the arrest. On Wednesday morning, Marty posted on X, “A member of the Australian field hockey team was arrested last night after buying cocaine in a street in the 9th arrondissement of Paris.”

It is worth noting that, in line with the regulations established for the Olympic Village in Tokyo, athletes were mandated to vacate their accommodations within 48 hours of the conclusion of their competitions. This requirement was part of the protocol to ensure the orderly and timely departure of all participants following the conclusion of the Games.

The Kookaburras suffered a 2-0 defeat to Netherlands in their quarter-final match on Sunday, while the Hockeyroos were bested 3-2 by China on Monday.

This is a developing story, and updates will be provided as new information becomes available.

Source:
– The Guardian