Olympic legend Sir Chris Hoy reveals terminal cancer diagnosis

Six-time Olympic gold medalist Sir Chris Hoy has said his cancer diagnosis is terminal.

The former Team GB track cyclist, 48, said he has been given two to four years to live.

Hoy revealed that she had disclosed her cancer diagnosis in an Instagram post in February in which she said her treatment was “going really well,” that she was “optimistic” and that she was “still working, riding my bike and living my normal life”.

But in an interview with The Sunday Times, Hoy said he had been told at the time that his illness could not be cured.

Hoy said she had sought treatment for a shoulder problem and was surprised to be told a scan had shown a tumor. Further scans revealed a cancer in his prostate that had metastasized to his bones, resulting in tumors in his shoulder, pelvis, hip, spine and ribs.

He said he had struggled to come to terms with his condition, adding that “most of the battle for me with cancer hasn’t been physical. For me, it’s been in my head.”

The ex-athlete also revealed that his wife Sarra, with whom he has two children, has been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, a degenerative autoimmune disease that affects the brain and nerves.

Hoy, who has written a memoir about the past year, said: “On the hand, I’m pretty positive most of the time and I have genuine happiness. This is bigger than the Olympics. It’s bigger than anything. It’s about appreciating life and finding joy.

“There’s so much positivity that can come out of this from every angle. I’m really excited that this book can hopefully help people.”

Hoy was at the forefront of the era of British dominance in track cycling as the sprint specialist claimed 11 world titles during a glittering career.

Scotland was knighted after winning three gold medals at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. He won the BBC Sports Personality of the Year in 2008 and appeared on the broadcaster’s coverage of the Olympics of Paris this summer.