Chris Hoy: Six-time Olympic champion, 48, announces diagnosis of terminal cancer

CNN
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Six-time Olympic gold medalist Chris Hoy has revealed he has terminal cancer and that doctors have given him a life expectancy of two to four years.

The 48-year-old former cyclist, one of Britain's most successful and well-known Olympians, revealed his diagnosis to The Sunday Times newspaper, saying he first went to hospital last September after feeling pain in his shoulder.

A scan found a tumor there before a second scan found primary cancer in his prostate that had spread to his bones. The scans found tumors in his shoulder, pelvis, hip, spine and rib.

“As unnatural as it feels, this is nature. You know, we're all born and we all die and that's just part of the process,” he told the Sunday Times.

“Hand on heart, I'm pretty positive and genuinely happy most of the time. This is bigger than the Olympics. It's bigger than anything else. It’s about appreciating life and finding joy,” he added.

In the interview, Hoy also revealed that his wife Sarra, with whom he has two young children, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) a month after he discovered he had cancer.

“This is the best thing I have ever achieved. Do you know why me? Just what? What's going on here? It didn't seem real. “It was such a big blow when you’re already reeling,” he said.

In February, Hoy announced that he had been diagnosed with cancer, but did not disclose the type or his prognosis.

Hoy made his Olympic debut at the 2000 Sydney Summer Games, where he won silver in the men's team sprint.

He won his first gold medal in the men's 1,000m time trial in Athens in 2004, before becoming a household name in Great Britain thanks to his performances at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, where he won three gold medals in three different disciplines.

He won two more gold medals at the 2012 London Games and retired as Team GB's most successful Olympian of all time, although that mark has since been surpassed by fellow track cyclist Jason Kenny.

Since his retirement he has worked as a pundit for the BBC and is currently covering the World Track Cycling Championships in Copenhagen for them. On Sunday, he posted a picture of the BBC team there on Instagram and wrote that he was “overwhelmed” by the “love and support shown to my family and I.”

“You may see some articles in the news this weekend about my health, so I just wanted to reassure you all that I am feeling fit, strong, positive and overwhelmed by all the love and support shown to my family and I. Forward!” he said.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer was among those who welcomed Hoy's “positive attitude” on Sunday. “What sad news. Chris is a British sporting legend. It's inspiring to be so positive about your diagnosis. The whole country is behind him and his family,” he posted on the social media platform X.

Meanwhile, cycling star Mark Cavendish called Hoy a “hero of a man” on Instagram, while double Olympic champion Becky Adlington said: “A true legend. “You continue to be my only role model.”

Scotland's First Minister John Swinney posted on X that he “sends all well wishes to Sir Chris Hoy and his family.” He always inspired us through everything he did. He is a person of incredible courage, and that still shows today.”