The 37-year-old pleaded guilty in Cleveland Magistrates' Court, Queensland yesterday to possession of dangerous drugs and failing to properly dispose of syringes following a police raid at her property on March 28.

While no conviction was recorded, Newbery was placed on a drugs rehabilitation programme and fined AUS$300 (£165/$282/€207) for failing to turn up at an earlier court appearance.

Mother of two Newbery has admitted to battling depression in recent years and checked herself into a psychiatric hospital in Sydney in 2009, revealing she tried to commit suicide twice by overdosing on pills.

She is a double Commonwealth Games gold medallist and became the first Australian in 80 years to win an Olympic diving gold when she claimed the 10 metre platform title at Athens 2004, where she also took bronze in the 3m synchronised springboard competition.

She competed at the Beijing 2008 Olympics but failed to qualify for the final of the 3m springboard event.

After retiring from the pool she worked with Diving Australia as a national talent identification coordinator but left the role last year.

Newbery became the first Australian in 80 years to win an Olympic diving gold medal at Athens 2004 ©Getty Images



Speaking after the court ruling, Diving Australia chief executive David Bell, said: "I suppose from our point of view Chantelle will obviously always hold a special place within the diving family.

"We're certainly aware of some of her issues and have even recently been offering support to her.

"At this stage we haven't been in contact for a little while.

"We haven't had any reply from her.

"We'll always continue to offer support to Chantelle should she request it."

Newbery is among a number of Australian stars from the pool to admit to drug and mental health problems in recent years.

Fellow diver and Beijing 2008 gold medallist Matthew Mitcham revealed he battled addiction to crystal meth in 2011 and 2012 while Olympic swimmers Ian Thorpe, Grant Hackett and Geoff Huegill have had well publicised personal problems.

In February, five-time Olympic champion Ian Thorpe was reported to be in rehab being treated for depression, while former world champion Huegill pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine in May and was put on a six-month good behaviour bond along with his wife by a court in Sydney.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related Stories
February 2014: Olympic swimming champion Ian Thorpe "in rehab for depression"