Sir Chris Hoy, one of Britain’s greatest cyclists and Olympians, has announced his cancer is terminal.
In an interview with the Sunday Times, the 48-year-old said he had “known this for over a year” before revealing he has “two to four years” to live.
“As unnatural as it feels, this is nature,” he told the newspaper. “You know, we were all born and we all die, and this is just part of the process.
“You remind yourself, aren’t I lucky that there is medicine I can take that will fend this off for as long as possible.”
Sir Chris added: “Hand on heart, I’m pretty positive most of the time and I have genuine happiness. This is bigger than the Olympics. It’s bigger than anything. This is about appreciating life and finding joy.”
After a tumour was initially found in his shoulder last autumn, a second scan found primary cancer in his prostate, which had spread to his bones.
There were also tumours in his pelvis, hip, spine and rib, with a doctor telling him that it was stage four and incurable.
Hoy and his lawyer wife Sarra have two children, seven-year-old Chloe and 10-year-old Callum. He recalls Callum, who was then aged nine, asking if he was going to die.
Hoy told him that no-one lives forever, but he hoped, thanks to the medicine, “to be here for many, many years”.
Despite having a very high pain threshold, he has had a violent allergic reaction to the chemotherapy.
Some weeks before his cancer diagnosis, his wife Sarra had tests on a tingling sensation in her face and tongue.
Then just before Christmas it was confirmed she had multiple sclerosis (MS) that was “very active and aggressive” and needed urgent treatment.
The couple have not told their children about Sarra’s MS diagnosis.
In February, as he was undergoing treatment, including chemotherapy, Hoy said he felt “forced” to reveal his cancer diagnosis publicly.
At that time, Hoy said he was “going really well” and was “optimistic, positive and surrounded by love for which I’m truly grateful” after his diagnosis in 2023.
Hoy was a pundit for the BBC covering the Paris 2024 Olympics and he has been part of the broadcast team at the Track Cycling World Championships in Copenhagen this week.
He posted a message, ending with a love heart, on an Instagram message after confirming his terminal diagnosis.
Sir Mark Cavendish, who holds the record for Tour de France stage wins, was among those sending their support to the Scot, describing his fellow cycling knight as a “hero of a human being”.
Former Scotland striker turned commentator Ally McCoist said: “You, my friend are a superstar in every sense of the word.”
Hoy’s fellow Olympic champion Dame Kelly Holmes, Britain’s most successful Paralympian Dame Sarah Storey, comedian Jack Whitehall, British Cycling and reigning world sprint champion Harrie Lavreysen also replied with messages of support.
On X, fellow multiple Olympic champion Sir Matthew Pinsent said his thoughts were with Hoy and his family, describing him as “one of the finest to ever represent our country”.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer was among those to give his support to Hoy, writing on X: “Such sad news.
“Chris is a British sporting legend. To face his diagnosis with such positivity is inspiring. The whole country is behind him and his family.”
Scottish First Minister John Swinney praised Hoy’s “incredible courage”.
“I send every good wish to Sir Chris Hoy and his family,” he said in a post on X. “He has always inspired us by all that he has done. He is a person of incredible courage and that shines through today.”
Health Secretary Wes Streeting added Hoy was “inspirational”, telling Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips: “I’m just in awe, actually, of how he is dealing with that, because I’m not sure how I would react in the same situation.”
During his career on the track Hoy won six Olympic gold medals, 11 World Championships and 34 World Cup titles before he retired from competitive racing in 2013.
Only his former team-mate Sir Jason Kenny has won more Olympic gold medals for Great Britain.
Edinburgh-born Hoy took up cycling at the age of 14 and won his first Olympic medal, a team sprint silver, at Sydney in 2000. Hoy followed that up by winning gold in the 1km track time trial at Athens in 2004.
He added to his gold medal haul by winning three more in Beijing four years later and two at London 2012. Hoy was knighted in the 2008 New Year Honours List after his success at the Beijing Olympics.