Sir Chris Hoy reveals heartbreaking detail in first interview since terminal cancer diagnosis

Sir Chris Hoy has opened up on his and his family's "toughest year" after revealing his cancer diagnosis is terminal, explaining he had no symptoms before receiving news of his condition.

Hoy, a multiple Olympic gold medal winner in an accomplished cycling career, revealed in February that he had been receiving chemotherapy following a cancer diagnosis. In October, though, he shared further details - including the revelation that he had been given just two to four years to live

The 48-year-old was able to attend the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, fulfilling some media duties. However, since then, the full scale of his diagnosis has been made public.

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He took his wife Sarra and their two children out of the country in October hoping the media attention might have died down upon their return. Now, though, the Scot has shared more of his story in his first TV interview since the news came to light.

"No symptoms, no warnings, nothing," Hoy told The BBC, explaining the diagnosis came out of the blue.. "All I had was a pain in my shoulder and a little bit of pain in my ribs. [This] ache and pain didn't go away. I assumed it was going to be tendonitis or something, and it was just going to be lay off weights or lay off cycling for a wee while and get some treatment and it'll be fine."

"It was the biggest shock of my life," he explained, recalling the scan which revealed a tumour. "I remember the feeling of just absolute horror and shock.

"I just basically walked back in a daze. I couldn't believe the news and I was just trying to process it, I don't remember walking. I just remember sort of halfway home thinking 'where am I?' And then I was thinking 'how am I going to tell Sarra? What am I going to say?'."

Sir Chris Hoy with his wife Sarra in 2024
(Image: Karwai Tang/WireImage)

Back in October, Sarra gave thanks to those sending messages of support for her husband. "Completely overwhelmed by your kind, thoughtful and helpful messages," she wrote on social media. "Many people say they don’t know what to say- that’s ok, you don’t need to have the words - just taking the time to message has been like a soothing balm to the soul. Thank you.

"I’ve been told that men seeking advice about prostate cancer is up seven fold and that Chris’s story is likely to save countless lives. This takes my breath away.

"Life is wonderful. We are excited about the future. We have so many more adventures planned…. And I am so fortunate to get to do it all with @chrishoy1 - the most incredible person I’ve ever met. Watching him on the BBC at the weekend was like watching a masterclass in strength of character, dignity and humility. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again- he truly is my real life superhero."

Chris Hoy with his Keirin gold medal at the 2012 Olympics
(Image: PA)

Hoy has written a book about his experience, and joined his wife in thanking fans for the outpourings of support. “I just wanted to share an update about my health after telling you I was receiving treatment for cancer,” he said in October. “I’m so grateful to everyone for their incredible kindness and support. You may have heard by now that I’m ready to share that my cancer is stage four: I will be living with it for the rest of my life.

“Now, it’s not the news that anyone imagines hearing, and it obviously came as a huge shock. We’ve taken time to process it as a family and I now have a deep resolve to turn this incredibly difficult diagnosis into something more positive that can help, not just me, but anyone anywhere living with stage four.

“I’m talking to you now because, amidst it all, I’ve made the decision to write it all in a book. You might wonder why I’d take on writing a book during such a challenging time. It’s been cathartic and it’s a very important part of how I’ve been able to process this news with my family and for myself over the past few months.

Hoy is a six-time Olympic champion, winning gold at three separate games
(Image: PA)

“I wanted to share this in the hope that it might help others in challenging situations too. The book is called All That Matters and I hope it can provide, not only an insight into how a family deals with a diagnosis like mine but also remind us that all we have is now: not the past, not the future, but where we are in this moment.

"It’s about hope, how I lost it after the diagnosis and how I found it again. I will also give you a view into what my life has been like since retiring from professional cycling.”

Hoy won six Olympic gold medals and one silver during his accomplished career. Two of those golds came in London at the 2012 games, where he was victorious in the Team Sprint and Keirin.

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