PARIS — An Australian athlete has been taken into custody by French authorities for attempting to buy cocaine, according to reports.
The Paris Public Prosecutor’s Office told 9News Australia an unidentified member of the men’s field hockey team was involved in an alleged ‘cocaine transaction at the foot of a building in the city’s 9th arrondissement’ Tuesday. Police officers witnessed the incident, according to the 9News report.
French media outlets first reported news of the detainment, according to Reuters and the Associated Press.
The Australian Olympic Committee confirmed an arrest to Reuters but did not confirm the player’s identity. But the Paris Public Prosecutor’s Office statement said the alleged buyer was born in September 1995. According to team records, there is one player on the Olympic roster born that month.
The committee said no charges had been filed. USA TODAY reached out to the delegation for further comment.
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‘The AOC is continuing to make enquiries and arrange support for the team member,’ the committee said in its initial statement to Reuters.
The International Olympic Committee said during its daily news conference Wednesday it had no knowledge of the incident.
