Former Olympic kayaker pleads guilty to drug charges

SYDNEY (AP) — Athens Olympic silver medalist kayaker Nathan Baggaley pleaded guilty to manufacturing methamphetamine when he appeared in a Sydney court on Wednesday.

Baggaley finished second in the K-1 and K-2 races over 500 meters in Athens in 2004, and also won gold medals at three world championships.

The 39-year-old Baggaley originally faced nine charges relating to the manufacture, importation and supply of large amounts of drugs, but after he pleaded guilty to two charges Wednesday, the rest of the charges were withdrawn. He will be sentenced on March 13.

Baggaley tested positive for using a banned steroid in 2005 and was suspended by the International Canoe Federation. He has also faced court on other drug-related charges over the past five years.