He managed to be one of the most prominent figures of the Olympic Games, but his past took him to a very dark place after his retirement.
Get to the Olympic Games and compete It is already a source of pride, not to mention the fact of getting a medal to raise the flag of the nation that one chooses to represent. But life after success can often bring complications.
This is what happened to Bradley Wigginsa legend of his discipline, who, upon achieving absolute cycling glory both in the competitive field of the category and in the Olympics, lived through hell after retirement and today can tell his story thanks to the fact that he was able to face his demons.
Bradley Wiggins Getty
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The story of Bradley Wiggins: the past traumas that marked him for life
His first consecration in the Olympics arrived in Sydney 2000upon getting the bronze medal in team pursuit in track cycling. Four years later, in Athenshe would improve in teams by getting the silver, but at the individual level he conquered his first gold medal. In Beijinggot the gold in both competitions and added another of bronze, in Madison.
In the team pursuit he would defend the gold again, although this time in Rio de Janeiro 2016. In the meantime, the Belgian-born always represented Great Britain and in 2012 he was able to achieve gold in Road Cycling in the Time Trial competition. The athlete was an example and He even obtained the title of Sir, awarded by Queen Elizabeth II in 2013.due to the achievement mentioned above and added to the conquest of the Grand Tour de France.
The problem would come after December 2016, when he announced his definitive retirement from this sport. The glory of the Olympic Games seemed to be an anecdote in his life after the fall. “I had a real problem and my children, in fact, were willing to put me in rehab at one point,” he confessed, in addition to admitting that “I was really walking a tightrope. There were times when my son was worried that I would wake up dead.”
All that depression had a starting point, since in 2022 he confessed to having been a victim of sexual abuse for three years when he was only 13 years old, by his coach, a 72-year-old man. Wiggins found a way to escape that pain in addictionsalthough without realizing it, his life was falling apart: In 2024 he declared bankruptcy, was homeless and had debts of up to $2.5 million.
Looking to get better: Wiggins’ sobriety
Currently, Bradley Wiggins He went from absolute hell to being able to smile again. And it is no wonder, since after so much fighting, He revealed that he has been completely sober for a year. With the support of his family, he managed to find much healthier habits to move forward.
The figure who managed to win so many medals in different editions of the Olympic Games began therapy, which he attended regularly and had great help. The former cyclist, Lance Armstrong, offered to help him financially so that he can leave his illness behind and can enjoy your life accordingly.
Source: Ambito
I am Pierce Boyd, a driven and ambitious professional working in the news industry. I have been writing for 24 Hours Worlds for over five years, specializing in sports section coverage. During my tenure at the publication, I have built an impressive portfolio of articles that has earned me a reputation as an experienced journalist and content creator.
