Sir Chris Hoy, one of Team GB’s most revered Olympians, has revealed he has been diagnosed with terminal cancer, with doctors informing the former cyclist he has between two and four years to live
Olympic icon Sir Chris Hoy says he has “two to four years” to live after being diagnosed with terminal cancer.
The 48-year-old former cyclist, who is an 11-time world champion and a six-time Olympic champion, revealed back in February that he was undergoing chemotherapy, having been diagnosed with prostate cancer in September 2023. On Saturday, however, Hoy announced that the cancer had spread to his bones and had been classified as terminal.
“As unnatural as it feels, this is nature,” he said speaking to The Sunday Times ahead of the release of his book ‘All That Matters: My Toughest Race Yet’. “You know, we were all born and we all die, and this is just part of the process.”
Hoy shot to prominence after winning a sliver medal at the Olympic Games in Sydney in 2000. He then went on to clinch gold at Athens 2004, Beijing 2008 and London 2012, ending his career as the second-most decorated Olympic cyclist in history as well as Scotland’s most successful Olympian. Following the tragic news regarding his health, Mirror Sport looks at what lies ahead for Hoy and his family.
Wife’s incurable illness
In a devastating double blow for the family, Hoy’s wife Sarra has also been diagnosed with an aggressive form of multiple sclerosis (MS). Treatment is available, but there is no cure for the disease.
Her diagnosis came in November 2023, just two months after Chris was informed he had cancer. According to Chris, Sarra now struggles to put a key in the door, but has remained inspirationally positive about her ordeal.
“She says all the time, ‘how lucky are we? We both have incurable illnesses for which there is some treatment. Not every disease has that. It could be a lot worse’,” Chris said.
Chris and Sarra have two children, seven-year-old Chloe and 10-year-old Callum. They were open and direct with them about Chris’ illness, but have decided not to inform them about Sarra’s diagnosis. “I never want to lie to them. But there are certain things you don’t need to tell them straight away,” Chris said.
Chris met Sarra, a lawyer from Edinburgh, in 2006 and the pair tied the knot in 2010. Their son Callum arrived in 2014, and Chloe was born in 2017.
What’s next?
Despite his tragic predicament, Chris insists he’s “feeling fit, strong and positive”. Having had over a year to digest and process the situation, the cycling legend says he’s now just trying to life live to the fullest.
“Hand on heart, I’m pretty positive most of the time and I have genuine happiness,” he said. “This is bigger than the Olympics. It’s bigger than anything. This is about appreciating life and finding joy. There’s so much positivity that can come out of this from all angles.”
The Edinburgh native is currently receiving treatment, including chemotherapy, but isn’t letting it get in the way of his day-to-day routine. “I’m optimistic, positive… I currently feel fine,” he said. “I am continuing to work, ride my bike and live my life as normal.”
Despite the odd hiccup, including an allergic reaction to his second round of chemotherapy, Hoy’s treatment has been largely effective. Physically, he remains in good shape, but as Chris acknowledges, the toughest challenge has been the mental toll.
“Most of the battle for me with cancer hasn’t been physical. For me, it has been in my head,” he admitted. Mental toil aside, however, Chris says he’s learning to “live in the moment” and as such, there have been plenty of days of “genuine joy and happiness” over the past few months.
“The fear and anxiety, it all comes from trying to predict the future,” he said. “But the future is this abstract concept in our minds. None of us know what’s going to happen. The one thing we know is we’ve got a finite time on the planet.”
Hoy’s net worth
Hoy has an estimated net worth of $50million (£38m). The vast majority of his wealth was amassed over the course of his exceptional cycling career, which saw him clinch seven Olympic medals, 11 world titles and 34 World Cup titles.
While at the peak of his powers, Hoy became the figurehead of the sport’s explosion into the British mainstream during the late 2000s, and his triumphs at the 2004, 2008 and 2012 Olympics turned him into a household name in the UK. His reputation helped him secure a number of lucrative endorsement and sponsorship deals with brands such as Sky Sports, Adidas, Gillette, Kellogg’s and HSBC.
After retiring in 2013, Hoy transitioned into motorsports and participated in events like the British GT Championship and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. His racing career, while passion driven, has helped to further bulk out his wealth.
Elsewhere, he’s secured regular punditry and commentary roles as part of BBC Sport’s cycling coverage in the years since his retirement. Hoy has also authored several children’s books, including the popular ‘Flying Fergus’ series.
He’s also launched a couple of successful business ventures, including his own bike range, HOY Bikes, in partnership with Evans Cycles, which sells models priced between £520 and £1,280. His personal company, Trackstars Limited, which processes Hoy’s various income and commercial channels, also has a reported net worth of £1.5m, with £2.1m in total assets.
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