Sir Chris Hoy, the six-time Olympic gold medallist, has revealed he has terminal cancer.
The 48-year-old cycling legend has been told by doctors that he has just two to four years left to live.
Hoy first announced in February that he was undergoing treatment for cancer, but said he was ‘optimistic’ and then worked as a BBC pundit at the Paris Olympics in the summer.
However, the father of two has now admitted he has known for a year that his illness is terminal.
The Scot originally went to the doctor in September 2023 for a suspected shoulder strain, only to discover he had a tumour in his shoulder.
Sir Chris Hoy, pictured in 2012 after winning two gold medals at the Olympic Games in London, has revealed that his cancer is terminal
Hoy pictured in July this year in Paris, where he attended the Olympics opening ceremony
Cycling icon Hoy, pictured in August 2023, believes that he has ‘two to four years’ left to live
Chris became Sir Chris in 2009 when he was knighted at London’s Buckingham Palace
Hoy was knighted by King Charles (left), when the monarch was serving as the Prince of Wales
A further scan found that the primary cancer was in his prostate and had spread to his bones.
‘We were all born and we all die and this is just part of the process,’ Hoy told The Sunday Times.
‘But aren’t I lucky that there is medicine I can take that will fend this off for as long as possible.’
In a statement published to Instagram in February, Hoy described himself as ‘optimistic’ and ‘positive’.
However, in his announcement this week he admitted that he knew even back then that his cancer was incurable.
Despite this, Hoy – who won six Olympic gold medals for Team GB between 2004 and 2012 – insists that he still feels ‘lucky’.
Hoy married wife Sarra in 2010 and they have two children together.
Both children were born prematurely. Son Callum was 11 weeks early in 2014, before daughter Chloe arrived four weeks ahead of schedule.
Against the odds, Callum and Chloe are now both perfectly healthy.
Unfortunately, the same cannot be said of their parents. In addition to Hoy’s cancer, Sarra has multiple sclerosis.
Hoy and wife Sarra – who have been married since 2010 – pictured in Berlin in February 2020
Sarra – who has multiple sclerosis – and Sir Chris are the proud parents of two children
Edinburgh-born Hoy is an Olympic legend, having won six gold medals, as well as one silver
Two of Hoy’s six Olympic gold medals were won on home soil in 2012 at the London Games
‘I still feel like we’re lucky,’ said Hoy in his brave interview.
He added: ‘As unnatural as it feels, this is nature.’
Hoy said that he had told his children that no-one lives forever but defiantly proclaimed that he hoped to ‘be here for many, many more years’.
Hoy was knighted in 2008 while he was still an active athlete.
His royal recognition came shortly after he became the first British male Olympian in 100 years to win three gold medals at one Games.
Hoy – who won his first Olympic gold in 2004 – added two more at London 2012 before announcing his retirement from cycling in 2013.
Hoy pictured in 2012 during the final of the men’s keirin track event at Lee Valley Velodrome
Hoy pictured celebrating after winning the gold medal final of the men’s keirin event in 2012
In addition to his six Olympic golds, Hoy also won two Commonwealth golds and 11 golds at Track Cycling World Championships
Hoy pictured posing for a photo while attending a cycling final at this year’s Olympic Games
Despite his diagnosis, Hoy remains very active.
Earlier this month, he took part in a Peligoni’s wellness week event as part of PACE October that involved seven bike rides over five days in Greece.
