Olympic weightlifter Ronald Laycock, who is facing serious drug supply charges, has been granted bail in a Sydney court.
Laycock, who has previously represented Australia at the Commonwealth and Olympic Games, is fighting more than a dozen charges including a number of drug supply offences.
The NSW Supreme Court on Thursday heard he was caught as part of an undercover sting.
If convicted, Laycock will face a lengthy jail sentence.
"He'll be going to jail, and he'll be going to jail for a lengthy period of time, don't be under any misunderstanding about that," Acting Justice Anthony Blackmore said.
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Laycock is also facing firearm and ammunition charges after a search of his NSW Central Coast home allegedly turned up a shotgun.
He told the court he'd been abusing ice for months before his arrest, and that he wanted to be freed so he could rekindle his relationship with his estranged wife.
"I want to get back to my family, go back to work, stay clean and get my life back on track," Laycock told the court.
Justice Blackmore said he believed the case against Laycock was strong, and that drug dealing appeared to represent the accused man's only real source of money in recent times.
"It looks as if he was running a substantial drug business," Justice Blackmore said.
"Given the likelihood of the length of the period in prison, the applicant remains a risk of non-appearance at court."
Nevertheless, Laycock's bail bid was successful. He has been warned he must comply with strict conditions including reporting requirements.
The former athlete, who competed in the 1998 Seoul and 1992 Barcelona Olympics, is due back before court on October 17.
