Geoff Huegill has revealed the ‘shame’ of his marriage breakdown after drug charges

Former Olympic swimmer Geoff Huegill has broken down while opening up about one of the nation’s biggest scandals and the toll it took on his marriage.

Former Olympic swimmer Geoff Huegill has revealed his “shame” over the breakdown of his marriage after he and his ex-wife were charged with cocaine possession in 2014.

In a searing episode of SAS Australia on Monday night, the 42-year-old broke down as he spoke about the awful impact that fateful night had on his family.

“In 2014 I was arrested with my ex-wife at the races for cocaine possession,” he said.

“We got pulled aside by the police and I was searched. And basically in the blink of an eye, our life turned upside down.

“I was carrying a lot of shame and a lot of guilt that I put my family through that process. And it led me to get to a point where I had to make the call to leave my family.”

Geoff Huegill on SAS Australia

Huegill – who split with his wife Sara Hills split in 2018 – broke down as he also revealed his sadness at not being able to see his daughters Mila and Gigi.

“I definitely have regret,” Huegill said while wiping away tears.

“It hurts me to be in a position where I don’t get to live with my girls on a day-to-day basis because of our marriage separation.

“The last time I got to hold them was 18 months ago. That’s been a big eye opener because … life gets taken away from you in a blink of an eye,” he said.

“When I retired from sport for the second time, the only thing I ever cared for was family.

Geoff Huegill with his ex-wife Sara in 2013. Picture: Getty Images

“The only thing I ever lived for after swimming was just to be a dad. It’s something that I loved and wanted to be.”

Huegill admitted he has had periods of depression over the years since his marriage breakdown, but he was determined to make a fresh start.

“I’ve had times where I sat there and thought there would be an easier way out,” he said.

“But I’m very proud of the fact that I’ve been able to pull myself out of some pretty dark times.

“If there’s ever a message I want to share with my kids, it’s to get them to understand and recognise that life isn’t going to be easy. The most important thing is how we pick ourselves up and dust ourselves off.”

The dual Olympian also spoke about how his weight ballooned by 50kg after he retired from swimming following the Athens Olympics.

Geoff Huegill with Gisele 8, Mila 10, Rafe 6 months.

“After 2004 I retired and put on 50 kilograms,” Huegill said, adding his diet consisted of “kebabs for breakfast, pizza, alcohol”.

He mounted a comeback and miraculously won medals at the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Game and at the world championships the following year.

“I lost 45 kilos, I got back behind the blocks again,” Huegill said. “I won a couple of medals at the Commonwealth Games.”

In a casual chat with the other SAS contestants, Huegill also revealed he was approached to be The Bachelor after his divorce, but turned down the offer.

Former Olympic swimmer Geoff Huegill and his partner Roxan Toll and their baby boy Rafe (born August last year, 2021). Pictured together in Singapore. Photographer: Erik Magelssen

“After I got divorced I got asked to go on The Bachelor — to be The Bachelor,” Huegill said. “And I thought, that is just not the right example to set to my daughters.”

Huegill has started a new chapter of his life in Singapore, where he lives with his partner Roxan Toll and their son Rafe, who was born last year.

“I never had to leave Australia, I wanted to leave,” Huegill told the Sunday Telegraph.

“I wanted to do something different. I just wanted to get on with it. It is a good place and there are a lot of good opportunities for work and a good opportunity for me to keep my head down.”

Originally published as Geoff Huegill has revealed the ‘shame’ of his marriage breakdown after drug charges