Sir Chris Hoy, one of Britain’s greatest cyclists and Olympians, has announced his cancer is terminal and that doctors have said he has "two to four" years left to live.
Sir Chris, who was given a diagnosis last year, said in an interview with The Sunday Times: “As unnatural as it feels, this is nature.
“You know, we were all born and we all die, and this is just part of the process."
He told the newspaper: “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 Hoy is such a friendly, caring man. He’s the best of all of us. https://t.co/tDDbLbNn1l
— Scott Bryan (@scottygb) October 19, 2024
A tumour was found in Sir Chris’s shoulder and a second scan found primary cancer in his prostate, which has metastasised to his bones.
Tumours have also been found in his shoulder, pelvis, hip, spine and rib and he has been told it is incurable.
Sir Chris and his lawyer wife Sarra have two children, seven-year-old Chloe and 10-year-old Callum.
The 48-year-old recalls Callum, who was then aged nine, asking if he was going to die.
Sir Chris told him that no-one lives forever, but he hoped, thanks to the medicine, “to be here for many, many years”.
Sir Chris Hoy reveals his wife has been diagnosed with MS
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, Sir Chris said he felt “forced” to reveal his cancer diagnosis publicly.
At that time, Sir Chris 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.
He posted a message, ending with a love heart, on an Instagram message after confirming his terminal diagnosis.
Sir Chris wrote: “You may see in the news this weekend some articles about my health, so I just wanted to reassure you all that I’m feeling fit, strong and positive, and overwhelmed by all the love and support shown to my family and me. Onwards!”
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Sir Mark Cavendish, who holds the record for most stages won in the Tour de France, was among those sending messages in response, describing his fellow cycling knight as a “hero of a human being”.
Sir Chris 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 has six Olympic gold medals and one silver – only his former team-mate Sir Jason Kenny has won more Olympic gold medals for Great Britain.
