Kookaburras breach biosecurity bubble to buy booze after heartbreaking Olympic loss

Australian hockey players drowning their sorrows after a heartbreaking loss crossed the line in their quest to buy booze in Tokyo.

Five members of the Kookaburras breached Covid-19 regulations by leaving the Olympic Village after picking up a silver medal on Thursday night.

Belgium beat Australia’s men’s hockey team in the gold medal match, which was decided in a gut-wrenching penalty shootout.

While drowning their sorrows, three players went to a nearby convenience store to buy two cases of beer at 3am on Friday morning, while two other players left the village at around 6am, but did not purchase anything.

Australian Chef de Mission Ian Chesterman confirmed the biosecurity breach at a press conference on Friday evening. He said the players were out of the village for about 20 minutes, wore masks and self-reported their indiscretion.

Belgium won gold after a tense penalty shoot out. Picture: Adam Head

Chesterman added there would be no further action taken aside from players being confined to their rooms, as the Kookaburras prepare to fly home on Saturday.

“I am deeply disappointed. While I understand the players’ disappointment following their loss in the gold medal match we have been abundantly clear about the expectations of this team while we’re in Tokyo,” Chesterman said.

“We have reprimanded them, isolated them in their rooms and we’re going home anyway. I believe at the moment they’re feeling deep remorse.

“The rules are there to keep safe and for us to keep our commitment to the Games organisers and the Japanese people.

“They’ve let their own teammates down and there will be no further action.”

Jacob Whetton was inconsolable after missing the last shot during the gold medal match. Picture: Adam Head

Kookaburras coach Colin Batch said the players involved had “embarrassed” the national team, adding it was “completely out of character”.

“The players were really remorseful for their actions,” Batch said. “They did immediately apologise for lack of thought and the impact it has had on the Australian team.”

The Kookaburras players underwent tests for Covid-19 after the breach and returned negative results.

Their breach comes after reports of “unacceptable behaviour” by Australian football and Rugby Sevens players on their flight home from Japan.

“The Australian team have been through a massive campaign together and we will stick together, the players have apologised and are very remorseful,” Chesterman said.

“We have worked very hard to get the team here safe and to keep them safe and we will continue to strictly enforce the protocols to compete successfully and get home safely.”