Sir Chris Hoy, a six-time Olympic gold champion, revealed he has been diagnosed with terminal cancer and has been given a lifespan of “two to four years”. The 48-year-old Scottish cyclist informed the Sunday Times that a scan in September found a tumour in his shoulder. A subsequent scan, just two days later, pinpointed the primary cancer in his prostate. This has since spread to his shoulder, pelvis, hip, ribs and spine and is now classified as stage 4.
Hoy announced in February that he was undergoing treatments for the condition. The 11-time track cycling world champion disclosed: “Though it feels strange, this is all part of life. We’re all birthed into this world, and eventually, we all leave it. This is just one facet of the life cycle.” Hoy further pondered: “Isn’t it wonderful that medical science has advanced to a point where there are treatments that can keep this at bay for an extended period?”
While acknowledging that his chemotherapy treatment may not necessarily reduce his tumours, he mentioned that, according to a spectrum of outcomes, it gave the most encouraging results. Of those who first tested his prescribed medication in 2011, 25% are still living.
Despite having a lineage of prostate cancer, with both his grandfather and father also suffering from the disease, Hoy remains optimistic: “One out of four might seem like a grim figure at first glance. But for me, that signifies hope.”
In addition to this, Hoy revealed in his recent book, All That Matters, that his wife Sarra was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis last year. Married since 2010 and parents to a son and a daughter, the couple are enduring their illnesses together. Hoy expressed his disbelief at his wife’s diagnosis, calling it a moment of “why me?” and stated it felt unreal: “It was an enormous shock, on top of the stress we were already dealing with. Just when you believe circumstances couldn’t possibly worsen, you’re hit by another blow. It was sheer brutality.”
Despite these challenges, Hoy spoke of his wife’s continual optimism: “She constantly tells me, ‘Aren’t we fortunate? Even though we’re dealing with incurable diseases, at least there are treatments available. Not all illnesses have that same hope. Things could have been far worse.’”