In a raw and emotional revelation, Olympic cycling legend Victoria Pendleton has bravely opened up about the devastating double tragedy that shattered her family, leaving her to navigate unimaginable grief while maintaining her public persona as a sporting hero.
The Unthinkable Double Loss
The former track cycling champion, who brought home two Olympic gold medals for Team GB, faced her toughest battle away from the velodrome when her father, Max Pendleton, took his own life in September. The 71-year-old's death came just eight months after Victoria's older brother, Alex, also died by suicide at age 43.
A Family Torn Apart
Victoria describes the profound impact of these consecutive losses, revealing how her father never recovered from the death of his son. "He was completely broken," the 43-year-old shared with heartbreaking honesty. "Losing Alex destroyed him. He couldn't see a way forward without his son."
The Warning Signs
The cycling star noticed alarming changes in her father's behaviour in the weeks leading up to his death. "He started giving away his possessions, things he treasured," she recalled. "When I asked why, he'd just say 'I won't be needing them where I'm going.' Looking back, the signs were there, but I didn't want to see them."
Living With Regret
Victoria speaks candidly about the guilt and what-ifs that haunt her. "I keep thinking, if only I'd asked more questions, if only I'd pushed harder," she admits. The champion cyclist, known for her mental toughness in competition, found herself completely unprepared for this personal crisis.
Breaking the Silence
By sharing her story, Pendleton hopes to destigmatise conversations around mental health and suicide. "We need to talk about these things openly," she insists. "My father belonged to a generation that didn't discuss feelings. That silence can be deadly."
The Olympic gold medallist's courageous decision to speak out provides a powerful message about the importance of mental health awareness, even for those who appear strongest on the surface.
