"Within three years of retiring I was a drug addict" - Bradley Wiggins open and honest about lows that almost ended his life

Bradley Wiggins remains one of the most iconic figures in British sport, yet his post-cycling career has been anything but smooth. From his historic Tour de France victory in 2012 to his Olympic Games glory, Wiggins’ achievements cemented him as a legend. However, behind the success, he has faced deep personal struggles, from financial ruin to addiction and the lasting trauma of abuse.

In a recent interview with The Telegraph, Wiggins opened up about the bankruptcy and drug addiction battles that have shaped his life in recent years. Despite his accomplishments, financial mismanagement left a company under his control with debts totalling around £1 million.

His financial collapse had devastating consequences, reportedly leaving him homeless, sleeping in various locations, including his former wife’s home. At one point, he was even said to have considered selling his Olympic medals, a dark contrast to the glory of standing on the podium.

Beyond the financial turmoil, Wiggins has also struggled with his mental health, a battle that has followed him throughout his life. He has previously spoken about his difficulties coping with fame, turning to drinking in the early years of his career. However, the deepest scars trace back to his childhood, where he suffered sexual abuse at the hands of a coach.

"The contradiction is that the coach who abused me was my first male role model in cycling," Wiggins revealed. "I had grown up with an absent father, and so this man instilled a confidence in me as a bike rider. Wherever he went, he would tell everyone: 'This kid's going to be special.' It kind of offset what was going on behind the scenes.

“There were other kids at the club it was happening to as well. We were normalised to the behaviour, made to feel there was nothing wrong with it. You're only 13, but it leads to a really dark period. Within three years of retiring in 2016, I was a drug addict. And a lot of it was to do with this recall of my childhood."

His honesty about addiction highlights a darker side of elite sport, where athletes often struggle with their identities once they step away from competition. The rigid discipline of professional cycling was gone, leaving Wiggins vulnerable to the pain he had suppressed for decades.

Alongside his mental health challenges, Wiggins also admitted he was exploited financially during his career. While he earned millions as one of Britain’s most successful cyclists, he failed to keep track of his finances and ultimately fell victim to those entrusted with managing them.

"I regret I never paid attention to my financial affairs when I was racing. It’s one of the things that happens to athletes – you make a lot of money and, if you haven’t got your eyes on it, people take advantage. I was getting ripped off left, right and centre by the people looking after me. Accountants as well."

His case is far from unique in the world of professional sport. Many elite athletes, focused solely on their performance, place blind trust in managers, agents, and accountants, only to discover later that they have been misled. The reality of financial exploitation in sport is well documented, and Wiggins’ experience is another stark warning of how even the biggest stars can be left vulnerable.

Despite everything, Wiggins insists he has finally regained control of his life. He describes how, after months of turmoil, he has been able to resolve the issues that led to his bankruptcy.

"It's all resolved now. I'm on the front foot now. This was something that was done to me. Eight months on, it has all turned around. The people who are responsible are paying a heavy price for it. Fortunately, it's all good. My life's in a good place."