Cyclist Chris Hoy announces that his cancer is terminal

Six-time Olympic biking champion Sir Chris Hoy has introduced that his cancer is terminal.

In an interview with the Sunday Times, he says medical doctors have instructed him he has between two and 4 years to reside.

He instructed the Sunday Times that he had been identified with major cancer in his prostate, which had unfold to his bones – that means it was stage 4.

Later on Sunday, the legendary athlete stated on Instagram that he was “feeling fit, strong and positive”.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting instructed the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg he was “in awe” of Sir Chris’s braveness, positivity and “wonderful message of hope”, including that the “whole nation will be cheering him on now” and sending love.

The 48-year-old Scot revealed earlier this yr that he had been identified with cancer. He had not beforehand disclosed the kind of cancer.

Sir Chris gained six Olympic golds between 2004 and 2012 – the second highest complete by any British Olympian behind Sir Jason Kenny’s tally of seven.

He retired from biking in 2013 and lately has been a daily pundit and commentator as a part of BBC Sport’s biking protection.

Sir Chris instructed the newspaper he has identified for a yr that his cancer is terminal.

Tumours have been found to his shoulder, pelvis, hip, backbone and rib.

Sir Chris instructed the newspaper: “As unnatural as it feels, this is nature.

“You know, we have been all born and all of us die, and this is simply a part of the method.

“You remind yourself, aren’t I lucky that there is medicine I can take that will fend this off for as long as possible.”

Sir Chris added: “Hand on heart, I’m pretty positive most of the time and I have genuine happiness. This is bigger than the Olympics. It’s bigger than anything. This is about appreciating life and finding joy.”

After the Sunday Times article was revealed, he posted a message on Instagram saying: “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. Onwards!”

There have been many supportive feedback and good needs beneath the publish, together with from fellow former Olympic bicycle owner Mark Cavendish who known as Sir Chris a “hero of a human being”.

Olympic athlete Dame Kelly Holmes additionally commented “sending love to you Chris” and the British Cycling account left an emoji exhibiting two fingers making a coronary heart image.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer on X hailed Sir Chris as “a British sporting legend” and stated “the whole country is behind him and his family”.

Speaking on the Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme, Streeting added that Sir Chris was “not the only person” coping with a terminal cancer analysis, so had “done the country such an enormous service” by being open and optimistic.

“That’s worth even more than the stack of Olympic gold that he’s built up over his career,” he continued.

Streeting was identified with cancer in 2021, aged 38, and had an operation to take away a kidney as a part of his remedy. He introduced he was cancer free later that yr.

The Olympian’s cancer was found final yr after a routine scan for shoulder ache – he thought he had injured himself whereas lifting weights on the fitness center – revealed a tumour.

The athlete was with his spouse Sarra when he was given his terminal analysis. The couple have two youngsters, Callum and Chloe, who have been aged 9 and 6 on the time.

Just earlier than Sir Chris’s tumour was found, Sarra had undergone scans that would later present she had a number of sclerosis, a degenerative illness.

Former prime minister Gordon Brown stated that braveness had “defined” Sir Chris’s profession and “now characterises how Chris and Sarra both face their health diagnoses and embrace life”.

Scotland’s first minister John Swinney known as Sir Chris “a person of incredible courage”, sending him good needs in an X publish.

Edinburgh-born Sir Chris, who was first impressed to take up biking by the well-known BMX scenes within the movie E.T., had gained six Olympic, 11 world and 43 World Cup titles by the point he retired.

The bicycle owner first gained gold on the Athens Olympics in 2004, and went on to safe three extra gold medals 4 years later in 2008 Beijing. He gained two additional golds in London 2012.

Such was his status that he was chosen to be the flag bearer for Team GB on the closing ceremony of the 2008 Olympics after which once more on the opening ceremony for the London Olympics 4 years later.

A stadium in-built Glasgow for the 2014 Commonwealth Games was named in his honour.

Talking to Stephen Nolan on BBC Radio 5 Live, Simon Richardson, editor of Cycling Weekly journal, known as Sir Chris “the epitome of the Olympic champion”.

Michael Hutchinson, a journalist and former skilled bicycle owner, echoed that, calling the Olympic champion a “talisman” in an interview on 5 Live Breakfast.

He added it was “inspiring” that Sir Chris had not confirmed “an ounce of self-pity” in asserting his analysis.

Since retiring, Sir Chris has written a number of books for kids alongside his contribution to BBC biking protection.

He has additionally been writing a memoir for the final yr, which is as a result of be revealed subsequent month.

This week he has been showing on BBC Two, co-presenting the protection of the World Track Championships with Jill Douglas in Denmark.