Six-time Olympic champion Sir Chris Hoy announces his cancer is terminal
Sir Chris Hoy says he has between two and four years to live, as ITV News' Fred Dimbleby reports
Sir Chris Hoy, one of Britain’s greatest cyclists and Olympians, has revealed his cancer diagnosis is terminal.
The former Team GB track cyclist says he has been given two to four years to live.
The 48-year-old announced in February that he was undergoing treatment for an unspecified type of cancer and at the time said he was "optimistic" and his treatment was going "really well".
In an interview with the Sunday Times, he announced he has prostate cancer and it's terminal.
He said he went to the doctor last September because he thought he had strained his shoulder lifting weights.
A tumour was found in his shoulder, and a second scan found the primary cancer in his prostate, which had metastasised to his bones. Tumours have also been found in his shoulder, pelvis, hip, spine and rib.
He told the newspaper: “As unnatural as it feels, this is nature.”
He added: “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.”
The Olympic legend also revealed how his wife, Sarra, was diagnosed with "very active and aggressive" multiple sclerosis just a month or so after he was found to have terminal cancer.
A scan just before Christmas confirmed that Sarra needed urgent treatment.
The pair have been married since 2010 and have two young children, aged seven and ten.
Subscribe free to our weekly newsletter for exclusive and original coverage from ITV News. Direct to your inbox every Friday morning.
Hoy, originally from Edinburgh, asked for privacy back in February following his announcement.
He wrote on Instagram: “For the sake of my young family, I had hoped to keep this information private but regrettably our hand has been forced.”
Hoy said at the time the diagnosis came as a “huge shock”, but he was "going really well" and was "optimistic, positive and surrounded by love for which I’m truly grateful”.
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.
At the start of Sunday’s show on BBC Two, there was no specific mention of Hoy’s news but he was asked how he was.
“I’m doing well, thanks. Having a great week, some incredible performances and hopefully some more to come,” Hoy replied.
He posted a message, ending with a love heart, on an Instagram message after confirming his terminal diagnosis.
Hoy 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!”
Hoy was such a dominant force in sprint cycling that he had won six Olympic, 11 world and 34 World Cup titles by the time he retired from competitive racing in 2013.He is the third most-decorated British Olympian of all time, with six career golds and one silver medal.
Want a quick and expert briefing on the biggest news stories? Listen to our latest podcasts to find out What You Need To Know