Olympic cycling legend Sir Chris Hoy announces he has terminal cancer

by Mick the Ram

After revealing back in February that he was being treated for prostate cancer, Olympic cycling hero Sir Chris Hoy has announced that it has spread and is now terminal.

He told how he has been informed by doctors that his condition was now at stage four, meaning that he has between two and four years to live.

The Olympian discovered a tumour last year following a routine scan after suffering some pain in his shoulder when lifting weights at the gym.

The 48-year-old Scot won six Olympic golds between 2000 and 2012, a British record only bettered by Sir Jason Kenny‘s tally of seven.

He retired from cycling in 2013 and in recent years has been a regular pundit and commentator as part of BBC Sport’s cycling coverage.

Just before he received his initial diagnosis, Sir Chris’ wife Sarra also had some scans taken which exposed that she was suffering from the degenerative disease, multiple sclerosis.

Not an ounce of self indulgence

Typical of the man, Sir Chis has not shown any “self-pity” since his initial announcement, or more recently after divulging his latest devastating news.

He had previously said that for the sake of his young family, he had hoped to keep his condition private, but regrettably had his hand forced by media intervention.

He declared at the time that he remained optimistic, positive and surrounded by love.

Refreshingly honest

Now, eight months on, he has explained how further scans found cancer in his prostate which had metastasised to his bones, with tumours also found in his pelvis, hip, spine and ribs.

In a brutally frank and honest appraisal of his state of health, Sir Chris said: “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.”

Glass always half-full

Instead of feeling sorry for himself, he preferred to consider himself lucky that there is medicine available to prolong his life.

“Hand on heart, I’m pretty positive most of the time and I have genuine happiness,” he remarked, acknowledging that he was facing something far bigger than the Olympics, or anything else for that matter, and saw it as being all about “appreciating life and finding joy.”

Sadness for the children

He called it a “double-edged sword”, referencing his two children who he said “make it all the more painful when you have the fear of what there is to lose.”

However, he quickly spun that by recognising how they were helping him to appreciate each day and get through “those difficult moments.”

Changing perception

Once again looking for the good in a truly bad situation, Sir Chris spoke of treasuring the fact that he has at least got the chance to say goodbye to his loved ones, noting that many others are not given such opportunities, but in his words: “I’ve been given enough time.”

Sir Chris disclosed that he is now putting his energy into creating an annual ‘Tour de 4’ charity fundraising bike ride in order to change the perception of stage 4 cancer diagnoses, to show that: “stage 4’s not just, right, this is the end of your life – there is more to be lived.”

Wonderful career

Born in Edinburgh, he competed at four Olympic Games between 2000 and 2012 – winning six gold medals; as well as 11 world and 43 World Cup titles over the course of his illustrious career.

Such was his prestige he was chosen to be the flag bearer for Team GB at the closing ceremony of the 2008 Olympics and then again at the opening ceremony for the home Games in London, four years later.

He received his knighthood in the 2009 New Year Honours List and has a stadium – built in Glasgow for the 2014 Commonwealth Games – named in his honour.

Over the last year he has been writing a memoir – All That Matters: My Toughest Race Yet, which is due to be published in November.