Chris Hoy has terminal cancer: “I have 2 to 4 years to live”

The former Scottish cyclist Chris Hoya six-time Olympic track champion, announced Saturday that the cancer he disclosed in February is incurable. In an interview with Sunday Times ahead of the book’s publication next month ‘’All That Matters-My Toughest Race Yet’ the 48-year-old former track rider revealed that he has between two and four years to live. “I tell you with my hand on my heart, I’m quite positive most of the time and really happy. It’s more important than the Olympics. It’s more important than anything. It’s about enjoying life and finding happiness,” Hoy said. “There is so much positivity that can come out of this, from every point of view. I’m really happy that this book can help people.”

The discovery of tumor

Hoy discovered in September 2023 that he had a tumor in his shoulder during an examination carried out in hospital, when he thought it was a simple sprain. Another CT scan two days later revealed it was prostate cancer that had metastasized to the bones. There were tumors in his shoulder, pelvis, hip, spine and ribs. Born in Edinburgh, Hoy won a silver medal in the team sprint event at the 2000 Sydney Games, then won his first individual Olympic title in the standing kilometer in Athens four years later. He then won three more gold medals in Beijing (2008) and two more in London (2012).

His wife Sarra diagnosed with sclerosis

The former track racer also revealed that his wife Sarra was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis: “It was a hard blow, when you’re already in a panic. You think nothing can get worse. You literally feel like you’ve hit rock bottom and find that, oh no, you still have more to fall. It was brutal. She always says, ‘How lucky are we? We both have incurable diseases for which there is a treatment. Not all diseases have this possibility. It could be much worse.”

The reactions

After the publication of the article of Sunday TimesHoy, who is in Denmark to commentate on the Track World Championships for the BBC, posted a message on Instagram: “You may see some articles about my health in the news this weekend, so I just wanted to reassure you all that I feel fit , strong and positive, and I am overwhelmed by all the love and support shown to my family and me. Under the post there were many comments of support and good wishes, including that of the former world champion Mark Cavendishwho called Sir Chris a “human hero” while Scottish First Minister John Swinney called him “a person of incredible courage”, sending him well wishes in a post on X. “You are incredible Chris, sending you so much love and strength” , said Olympic gold medalist Sally Gunnell. The television commentator and former footballer Ally McCoist he wrote: “You, my friend, are a superstar in every sense of the word. Love and strength from us all.” “Chris Hoy is one of the best athletes to ever represent our country,” said rowing Olympian Matthew Pinsent. “Our thoughts go to him, to Sarra and his family.”