There has been an outpouring of support for legendary British cyclist Sir Chris Hoy, after the six-time Olympic champion revealed his cancer diagnosis was terminal.
The 48-year-old told the UK’s Sunday Times that he had been diagnosed with primary prostate cancer, which had since spread to his bones.
He had earlier revealed that he was undergoing treatment for cancer after complaining of a sore shoulder following a gym session.
Tumours have since been discovered in his shoulder, pelvis, hip, spine and rib.
Sir Chris said doctors had told him he had between two and four years to live.
Sir Chris Hoy is one of the most decorated track cyclists of all time. (Getty Images: Ian MacNicol)
“As unnatural as it feels, this is nature,” Sir Chris told The Times.
“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.”
To add to the heartbreak, shortly after Sir Chris discovered he had cancer, his wife, Sarra Kemp, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.
Multiple sclerosis is an incurable degenerative disease where the immune system attacks the brain and spinal cord, with symptoms varying from severe to mild.
The couple have two children under the age of 10, Chloe and Callum.
Sarra Kemp (right) was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis soon after Sir Chris’s cancer news. (Getty Images: Matthias Hangst)
“Hand on heart, I’m pretty positive most of the time and I have genuine happiness,” Hoy told the Sunday Times.
“This is bigger than the Olympics. It’s bigger than anything. This is about appreciating life and finding joy.”
Sir Chris had been presenting the BBC coverage of the World Track Cycling Championships when the interview was published, but made no mention of the fact on air.
He later took to Instagram to say he was “feeling fit, strong and positive”.
“You may see in the news this weekend some articles about my health,” he wrote.
“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!”
Loading Instagram content
Support for one of Britain’s greatest Olympians has been overwhelming.
Sir Mark Cavendish, the record stage winner of the Tour de France, described his one-time track teammate as a “Hero of a human being”.
Meanwhile, Dutch rider Harrie Lavreysen, who won three golds at the recent Paris Olympics in the sprint, team sprint and keirin and is the only rider to have won more global titles than Sir Chris, also sent his support.
Former Scotland striker Ally McCoist wrote: “You, my friend are a superstar in every sense of the word. Love and strength from all of us.”
“Stay strong mate keep smiling,” wrote former England captain David Beckham, while comedians Jack Whitehall, Justin Moorhouse and Paddy McGuinness also sent their support.
Macmillan Cancer’s official account offered its own support, “if you need us”.
“We really appreciate you sharing an update about your diagnosis, Chris. We hope it will help others who may be going through a similar experience.”
British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer wrote on X that “the whole country is behind him and his family”.
“Chris is a British sporting legend,” he wrote.
“To face his diagnosis with such positivity is inspiring.”
Britain’s Health Secretary Wes Streeting, who has undergone his own cancer battle, having a kidney removed in 2021 aged 38, also praised Sir Chris’s resilience.
Sir Chris Hoy won six Olympic golds — and just one silver — in his stellar career. (Getty Images: Ian MacNicol)
Streeting told the BBC that Sir Chris had “done the country such an enormous service” by being open and positive, despite not being the only person dealing with a cancer diagnosis.
“That’s worth even more than the stack of Olympic gold that he’s built up over his career,” he said.
Having been inspired to take up cycling after watching ET, Sir Chris rose to become one of Britain’s all-time greatest sportsmen.
By the end of his career, the Scotsman laid claim to six Olympic gold medals, 11 world championship titles and 43 World Cup victories.
He first won gold at the Athens Olympics in 2004, winning three more gold medals in Beijing — becoming the first British Olympian in 100 years to win three golds at the same Games.
He capped his career with two more gold medals at his home Games in London 2012.
His six golds puts him second for British Olympians behind fellow cyclist Sir Jason Kenny, who has seven.
Following his cycling career, Sir Chris competed in motorsport, racing in the 2016 24 Hours of Le Mans, finishing 12th in his class alongside co-drivers Michael Munemann and Andrea Pizzitola.
