Sir Chris Hoy seen for first time since revealing terminal cancer as he works as pundit on Cycling World Championships
SIR Chris Hoy has been seen for the first time since revealing he has terminal cancer.
The six-time Olympic gold medal winner – who announced yesterday he has up to four years to live – is working as a BBC pundit this afternoon.
Sir Chris, 48, kept his terminal diagnosis a secret for a year and has continued his media duties, including covering the Paris Olympics over the summer.
Today he is covering the World Track Cycling Championships for the Beeb in Copenhagen – though has not made mention of his health battle during the programme.
‘I’M DOING WELL’
Presenter Jill Douglas began the BBC Two coverage of what is the final day of the competition alongside Sir Chris, asking him: “How you doing, Chris?”
He answered: “I’m doing well, thanks. I’m having a great week, some incredible performances and hopefully some more to come.”
He went on to say: “It’s always great to be back in the track centre, so many familiar faces, teammates, coaches, rivals and happy memories for me coming back to Copenhagen from 2002 and 2010.”
Later, he was seen interviewing Harrie Lavreysen after he won the Men’s Sprint.
Earlier today, Sir Chris posted a photo alongside some of the broadcasting team from the Ballerup Super Arena and said it’s “great to be out”.
He told fans: “You may see in the news this weekend some articles about my health, so I just wanted to reassure you all that I’m feeling fit, strong and positive, and overwhelmed by all the love and support shown to my family and me.”
Sir Chris had announced in February he was being “treated for cancer” and claimed it was going well – though knew in reality it was just “management”.
The star had gone to the doctor in late September last year after feeling a strain in his shoulder.
A tumour was found, before a second scan discovered the primary cancer in his prostate.
It had metastasised to Sir Chris’s bones – including his shoulder, pelvis, ribs, and spine.
Speaking of the appointment in which he found out about the tumour, he told the Sunday Times he thought “I’m just getting a bit old for lifting heavy weights”.
Referred by his physiotherapist for a scan, he went to hospital alone, expecting to be told to lay off upper-body work in the gym for a few weeks.
“I’m really sorry,” the doctor told him. The nurse’s eyes filled with tears. “There’s a tumour in your shoulder.”
Heartbreakingly, Sir Chris’ wife Sarra was told she had incurable and degenerative MS just weeks before his cancer news – with the couple opting not to tell the kids about their mother’s illness.
But they decided to be honest about their dad’s diagnosis.
GRUELLING TREATMENT
Sir Chris began chemo in November last year and recalled how 10-year-old son Callum kept asking if he’d lose his hair.
As a result, he wore a cold cap – which feels “like your head being in a vice” – during all six rounds over 18 weeks.
He said that it was the worst pain he’s ever experienced, adding while grinning sheepishly: “And I’ve got a very high pain threshold.”
Sir Chris and Sarra told their children about the cancer during dinner one night, to which Callum asked: “Are you going to die?”
The former Olympian explained the medication would hopefully mean he would “be here for many, many years”.
The sportsman suffered a violent allergic reaction in gruelling chemo sessions – but only missed five days of training on a bike.
How Chris Hoy went from lad on £5 bike inspired by ET to 6-time Olympic champion
By Jonathan Rose
SIR Chris Hoy began cycling at the age of six after he was inspired by the 1982 film ET.
Before he moved on to track cycling, he rode a BMX bike until the age of 15.
Sir Chris was ranked second in Britain, fifth in Europe and ninth in the World.
His dad picked up a £5 bike from a jumble sale – four years later Sir Chris was competing in the semi-final of a BMX world championship race.
“I was six when I saw ET,” he told The Guardian in 2020. “It changed my life. I wasn’t interested in cycling at all before.”
“The bikes I’d seen in Edinburgh just seemed functional things for getting from A to B,” continued Hoy, who grew up in Murrayfield.
“Then I saw those BMX bikes on screen and I was hooked. It wasn’t the scene where they cycle across the sky, but when they get chased by the police and they’re doing jumps and skidding round corners.
“It was the most exciting thing I’d ever seen. I wanted to do that.”
Four years later he became part of the British national squad.
A world championship medal came in 1999 with silver in the team sprint.
Sir Chris went on to become the second most decorated Olympic cyclist of all time.
The Prime Minister has said “the whole country” is behind Sir Chris following his terminal cancer diagnosis.
Sir Keir Starmer tweeted on Sunday: “Such sad news.
“Chris is a British sporting legend. To face his diagnosis with such positivity is inspiring.
“The whole country is behind him and his family.”
Sir Mark Cavendish, who holds the record for most stages won in the Tour de France, hailed Sir Chris as a “hero of a human being”.
Amy Joy Williams, MBE, the British former skeleton racer and Olympic gold medallist, added: “A pure superhuman who everyone loves. x”
And, Paddy McGuinness shared: “Some man”, as Dame Kelly Holmes wrote: “Sending love to you Chris.” While comedian Jack Whitehall penned: “Sending you all the love mate.”
All That Matters: My Toughest Race Yet by Sir Chris Hoy is published on November 7.
What are the symptoms of prostate cancer?
Symptoms of prostate cancer can include:
- needing to pee more frequently, often during the night
- needing to rush to the toilet
- difficulty in starting to pee (hesitancy)
- straining or taking a long time while peeing
- weak flow
- feeling that your bladder has not emptied fully
- blood in urine or blood in semen
Source: NHS