Disgraced Olympic swimmer Scott Miller “looks promising” as he tries to rebuild his life after serving more than three years in prison for his role in a meth trafficking ring.
Miller, the silver medalist in the 100-meter butterfly at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, has deliberately stayed out of the public eye since his release on June 14.
The 49-year-old was once a media favourite during his short-lived marriage to television presenter Charlotte Dawson, who committed suicide a decade ago. In recent years, however, she has rarely been photographed, except outside the courtroom.
Miller has struggled since retiring from competitive swimming and his weight has increased dramatically as he has given up his healthy lifestyle and intense physical training.
Photos from Miller’s February 2021 arrest showed the former Cleo Bachelor of the Year slumped over in a chair, shirtless or shoeless, with a roll of grease covering his jeans.
He spent much of his time in the maximum security Hunter Correctional Centre in Cessnock, 160km north of Sydney, where he managed the prison’s gym.
Miller’s attorney Greg Goold said his client was “in peak mental and physical condition” and appeared to have benefited from his years in prison.
“He comes out of prison refreshed and invigorated and eager to get on with his life,” Mr Goold said.
Fallen Olympic swimmer Scott Miller ‘looks great’ as he rebuilds his life after serving more than three years in prison for his role in a meth distribution ring. He is pictured in 1996, the year he won silver in the 100m butterfly at the Atlanta Olympics
“He looks like a million bucks. He looks like he’s ready to compete in the Olympics.”
Miller’s role as a ‘gym sweeper’ behind bars involved organising fitness programmes for other inmates, while taking the opportunity to get into shape himself.
“He was also head of the peer mentor program and they said they were saddened by his loss,” Good said.
‘To be honest, it looks like he’s ready to swim the 100m butterfly in a record time for his age at the World Masters.’
Daily Mail Australia has learned that Miller, who ran a small haulage business before his prison sentence, plans to work in transport and supply logistics.
He has also expressed interest in appearing on SAS Australia, the recently cancelled reality show sometimes used by disgraced celebrities to boost their image.
Miller was sentenced in November 2022 to a minimum of three years in prison, backdated to the time of his arrest.
Photos of a limp Miller arrested in February 2021 showed the former Cleo Bachelor of the Year slumped in a chair, shirtless and shoeless, with a roll of grease covering his jeans
He pleaded guilty to supplying a large commercial quantity of methamphetamine, supplying a commercial quantity of heroin, dealing in the proceeds of crime and participating in a criminal gang.
Miller attributed his tendency to turn to methamphetamine supply to “depression after competing at a top level” and his own long-term drug abuse.
Miller, along with three clumsy accomplices, were involved in a plan to transport 4kg of methamphetamine, worth $2.2 million, across NSW. They were all eventually arrested.
The entire chaotic plan had no chance of success, as the police monitored, listened to and followed every drug movement from start to finish.
Miller drove the meth approximately 280km from Sydney to Yass in January 2021 and dropped the shipment off for transport to Albury.
But the drugs were dumped more than 200 kilometres south after two incompetent mules were involved in a high-speed chase by highway patrol officers.
A month after the failed drug deal, a search warrant was executed at Miller’s apartment in Rozelle in Sydney’s west.
Miller told the hearing that he had come into contact with drugs through his relationship with TV presenter Charlotte Dawson and that he had become addicted.
Police found 796.8 grams of heroin and $2,175 in cash in a walk-in closet, $500 in a bag and $69,870 in a safe.
While in custody, Miller was accused of supplying a large commercial quantity of methamphetamine and leading a criminal group involved with another drug gang between April and October 2020.
He pleaded guilty and was sentenced in May of this year to four years in prison, of which twelve months without the possibility of parole, a sentence he had already served.
During his sentencing hearing for the crimes, Miller said that his relationship with Dawson had led him to become involved with drugs and that he had become addicted as a result.
“Charlotte was active in the fashion and media industries and it was in the context of my exposure to the lifestyle my wife enjoyed through her social and work relationships that I first became involved with personal drug use,” Miller wrote in a sworn statement.
‘Although it wasn’t significant, I realize in retrospect that it [the] start talking about my long and disastrous involvement with drug abuse.’
Mr Goold had argued that his client was suffering from depression, a condition common among top athletes who can no longer perform at the highest level.
Miller and Dawson married in 1999, but separated a year later. She committed suicide at age 47, the day after his 39th birthday.
The State Parole Authority approved Miller’s release on June 14, and he left prison that same afternoon.