Victoria Pendleton has revealed how her Olympic success as a gold medal-winning cyclist has taken its toll on her love life. The champion athlete, 45, who has won two Olympic gold medals and nine World Championship golds, admitted her main focus has always been riding.
'I never really had boyfriends, mostly because I concentrated on sport,' said the former Strictly Come Dancing contestant. Victoria, who was married to Olympic cycling coach Scott Gardner for five years until 2018, explained: 'I thought that by beating the boys it would impress them. But I realise now that most men, unfortunately, are not impressed if you beat them at sport. That was my error.'
Insights from New Book
Victoria made the admission in her new book, The Fear Opportunity, a personal development book with autobiographical elements published on May 21. In an extract seen by the Guardian, Victoria wrote about her experience as a young girl in sport before her career took off.
She said: 'Nowhere was I more aware of the limitations of being a girl than in the school playground. It was segregated into boys’ sports pitches, and the girls were pushed to the peripherals to avoid being hit by a football. I found break time boring. Girls weren’t encouraged to pursue sports at all, and I always thought what the boys did looked more fun and interesting – more physical and less psychological.'
'I also soon discovered that the traits that make an Olympic champion do not make for a popular teenage girl. I would play sports hard, always with full confidence and the intention to win. There was a lot of “Get out of my way!” I took everything seriously. Perhaps too seriously.'
Teenage Struggles and OCD
Victoria also revealed that her adolescent years were particularly tricky. She said: 'For most of my teenage years, I was an outcast socially, which was painful, because I really wanted to fit in. I was a people pleaser, and have since worked very hard to shift that habit. At the time, the loss of control I felt from not belonging ended up manifesting as an obsessive compulsive disorder. I was obsessive over my food intake, and always hand-washing, often until they were red raw. I would especially enjoy art classes because there were lots of giant sinks, so I could go off and wash my brushes and my hands without anyone noticing.'
Family Tragedies
Last October, Victoria shared the news of her father's death in a heartbreaking Instagram post also referencing her late twin brother, who passed away two years before at 42. She shared an old picture of her father, Max, and brother, Alex, saying the image is how she wants to remember them both.
The photo shows a young Alex grinning with his father's hand affectionately placed on his cheek, and Pendleton wrote a touching caption alongside the image. It read: 'The picture of Alex and Max is how I want to remember them both not taking the moment seriously. On the 11th of October my father Max Pendleton passed away after a long struggle with Parkinson’s disease and more recently Parkinson’s dementia. He fought hard to the finish line as he always did.'
'I am so grateful for his dedication to cycling and his unwavering belief in me, even if I didn’t always recognise it. I certainly wouldn’t have achieved anything without him and I am thankful for all I have experienced as a result. He always pushed himself, I admired that in him and tried my best to emulate. More significantly he has encouraged and enabled countless individuals into the sport of cycling. Organising equipment and kit and grass roots, grass track events. Where it all began for me. Rest In Peace. Love you dad.'
Victoria won two Olympic gold medals in cycling, the second of which came at London 2012 with her proud father watching on. Her father was British National 8km grass track cycling champion and helped push her towards success at the very highest level.
Brother's Battle with Cancer
His death comes two years after her twin brother died due to a brain tumour. Alex was diagnosed with cancer at the age of four after being pricked by a wild rose thorn that caused blood poisoning; he then had leukaemia. After more than three decades in remission, cancer tragically returned in his brain and took his life.
In 2019, when Victoria took part in gruelling reality show Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins, she revealed she signed up after being inspired by how her brother battled the disease. She explained: 'It was diagnosed quickly and he’s with me today. I know many children and adults are not that lucky. I always feel very fortunate that I have him. I’m in debt to the doctors and nurses for giving him the treatment he needed.'
Tragically, the cancer returned and claimed Alex's life two summers ago. After his death, Pendleton shared a stunning picture of them together on social media. She wrote: 'Alex Pendleton 24.09.80 - 22.06.23. If you know me then you likely know my twin brother Alex, I just wanted to let you know that this morning Alex sadly passed away after an epic battle against an aggressive brain tumour. He will be painfully missed by many. Rest in peace my kind, brave twinnie, you will forever be in our hearts.'
Early Life and Mental Health
At the age of nine, the siblings started racing and by the time she was 15, Victoria was used to cycling 50 miles on a Sunday. Victoria also previously spoke about her sibling's ability to live in the moment and his sunny persona.
Speaking to The Daily Mail in 2020, she broached the subject of her mental health and depression battles. She explained: 'I live with the knowledge depression may happen at any time, but I'm more prepared to deal with it now. I've always had low spells. A lot of people in my family have experienced anxiety and depression. My older sister Nicola, my dad — both of them suffer at times from extreme stress.' Yet she revealed the same could not be said for Alex, laughing: 'No, we're yin and yang. He doesn't take life too seriously.'
