Bradley Wiggins Opens Up About Childhood Abuse

Bradley Wiggins has spoken out about the childhood abuse he suffered at the hands of his cycling coach Stan Knight.

What happened?

The five-time Olympic champion revealed the trauma he endured as a child in an interview on BBC Radio 4 on Tuesday, October 21, 2025. He was 13 years old when the abuse occurred, and it has had a lasting impact on his life.

Why it matters for Bradley Wiggins

Wiggins said that underneath, "there's a 13 year old boy in there that's incredibly traumatised, ashamed, embarrassed and emasculated". He is taking "clinical steps to ensure that I don't creep back to old ways".

What comes next?

In 2022, Wiggins spoke to Alastair Campbell for Men's Health, revealing that his coach Stan Knight, who died in 2003, abused him when he was 13. Discussing the confession, he said that it "felt like a weight had come off my shoulders". Wiggins is now working to heal and move forward from the trauma he experienced. He is using his platform to raise awareness about childhood abuse and its effects. The BBC Radio 4 interview was a significant step in his journey towards healing. Wiggins' story is a powerful reminder of the importance of supporting survivors of childhood abuse.