Australian veteran, Geoff Huegill admits usage of drugs after his retirement from swimming
Australian veteran, Geoff Huegill admitted that he got involved in drugs and had suicidal thoughts after his retirement from competitive swimming in 2004.
Huegill, who acquired the bronze medal of 100m butterfly and silver medal in 4*100m medley relay at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, retired from competitive swimming after the 2004 Athens Olympic Games. He won two gold medals of 50m butterfly and 4*100m medley
relay, along with a bronze medal in 100m butterfly at the 2001 Fukuoka World Long Course Championships.
At the 2004 Olympics, the Australian failed to achieve a podium finish in any of his individual events which forced him to retire from competitive swimming, as he thought his time is up.
The 32-year-old Australian butterfly champion said that he lost control of himself after retirement and was heavily involved in drug abuse. Apart from that, the Australian was also engaged in over-drinking and eating, which turned him into a 135 kg giant,
a weight 45 kg more than his swimming weight. He said, “My weight was a burden. I'd returned home 45kg heavier than my 90kg swimming weight, with a waist measurement of 111cm.”
Huegill also said that he used to return from late night parties at 4 a.m in the morning, and this routine also lead him to suicidal thoughts. Huegill added, “I remained trapped because I was so ineffective in my life outside the pool. The usual cycles kicked
in again, plenty of alcohol and party drugs. I was arriving home from clubbing at 4am, the hour I used to be getting up and training. I now had debt collectors to deal with.”
Nevertheless, the Australian took control over his emotions and made a comeback to competitive swimming in 2008. With his splendid effort and dedication, Huegill captured two gold medals in 100m butterfly and 4*100m medley respectively, and a silver medal
in 50m butterfly at the 2010 Commonwealth Games.
Furthermore, Huegill has set his eyes on the upcoming 2012 London Olympic Games, and he is very keen to make a splash in his main events at this biggest stage of sports.
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