Seven-time Olympic cycling medalist Chris Hoy announced on Saturday that he has been given a terminal cancer diagnosis and told by doctors he has “two to four years” to live.
The 48-year-old former cyclist revealed in an interview with The Sunday Times that he initially went to the hospital in September 2023 after suffering some shoulder pain and was advised to take a scan.
“I’m really sorry,” Hoy recalled the doctor saying. “There’s a tumor in your shoulder.”
A second scan found the cancer, primarily in his prostate, had spread to his bones. He said the doctor informed him he had incurable stage 4 cancer, with scans showing tumors in his shoulder, pelvis, hip, spine, and rib.
“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,” Hoy told The Sunday Times.
“Most of the battle for me with cancer hasn’t been physical. For me, it has been in my head,” he explained. “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.”
The Edinburgh-born champion first announced he had been diagnosed with cancer in February on Instagram but decided not to disclose to the public the type or his prognosis.
“What I’ve come round to thinking is, why spoil that time? Crack on and enjoy and be grateful for what you do have. I’m not saying that I’m a Zen master and I’ve controlled my thoughts and my emotions in every situation. I’m not trying to pretend that every day is amazing. But I have genuine moments of joy. I have laughter. I’m not thinking about it all the time. I’m back to my old self,” he said.
Hoy revealed to the newspaper that his wife Sarra, with whom he shares kids Callum and Chloe, was diagnosed with “very active and aggressive” multiple sclerosis, weeks before he learned about his terminal cancer.
Hoy made his Olympic debut at the 2000 Sydney Games where he was awarded a silver medal in the men’s team sprint event.
Four years later, Hoy won his first gold medal in Athens for the men’s 1,000m time trial, followed by three gold medals in the 2008 Beijing Olympics across three different events.
At the 2012 London Games, he led the Great Britain and Northern Ireland Olympic Team at the Olympic stadium Opening Ceremony and won two more gold medals, making him Britain’s most decorated Olympian before being surpassed by fellow cyclist Jason Kenny at the 2020 Tokyo Summer Games.
Hoy retired from competitive cycling in 2013 and has since written children’s books, worked for the BBC commentary and pundit team for the 2014 Commonwealth Games and 2016 Rio Olympics, and is currently covering the Track Cycling World Championships in Copenhagen for them.
Since the interview with The Sunday Times was published, Hoy posted on Instagram reassuring his followers of his wellbeing, adding that he has been overwhelmed by the love and support.
“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!” he wrote.