Bradley Wiggins claimed that the abuse he suffered as a child led to his success as a professional cyclist, acknowledging the contradiction that such adversity can drive one to "greatness."

Wiggins, a multiple Olympic champion in track events and winner of the 2012 Tour de France, revealed last year that he was groomed by a cycling coach in his early teens.

The 42-year-old has since been involved with children's charities and this week participated in the launch of a new National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) campaign titled "Listen Up, Speak Up" (opens in new tab).

At the launch event, Wiggins detailed the abuse she suffered and how it affected her career as a cyclist.

"I think it contributed to why I was so great at cycling. It's a real contradiction in terms of adversity giving me the drive to get away," he said, according to The Guardian.

"I think there's a difference between being good at something and being great at it, and my greatest ability was to run by myself. Cycling in particular was a way to escape from where I grew up.

"So I rode hours away from Kilburn ...... Bicycling became a vehicle to escape the problems of my childhood. The more time I spent on hour records and Olympic time trials, the more I could escape from who I was. When I stopped cycling, I didn't have that.

"I think a lot of people who are great at something have that kind of drive that they attribute to adversity ...... All we can do is change, embrace it, stop running from it, and learn to help others."

The NSPCC's new campaign aims to spread awareness of child abuse and encourage people to spot and report potential signs of abuse. Wiggins revealed that in his case, allegations abounded, but no one spoke up.

"I noticed that onlookers and other coaches at the time were aware of the signs, had heard the rumors, but did nothing.

"Rather than worry about whether I was intruding, intervening, or the consequences ...... if you are right, wouldn't you rather take that risk and go in? [This campaign is very important. I think we all have a responsibility as adults, as parents, as bystanders, as coaches, as teachers, to recognize the signs.