Some celebrities are in our minds as untouchable icons, to whom we can’t imagine that something serious may happen. For many cycling fans, multi-Olympic and World Champion in track cycling Sir Chris Hoy, is one of them. Yet, the myth broke down on October 19 when the Scottish champion revealed that he has terminal cancer and has now “two to four years” left to live.
The 48-year-old retired cyclist had announced his cancer diagnosis in February on his Instagram account and had said he was going through chemotherapy. A recent scan carried out in September however revealed a tumour in his shoulder. It was then discovered that the primary cancer was located in his prostate and had spread to his shoulder, pelvis, hips, ribs and spine. The father of two publicly announced the shocking news in The Sunday Times, saying: “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”.
It is always painful to read such an announcement, no matter who is affected, but Chris Hoy’s reputation makes it even more shocking. The Edinburgh native is the second most decorated Olympic cyclist of all times, and one of the most successful track cyclists in general. His career gathered seven Olympic medals, including six golds, as well as eleven World Champion titles in disciplines such as team sprint, 1km time trial and keirin. The Glasgow Velodrome was named after him, and he was appointed a member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire and Knight Bachelor by Queen Elizabeth. The BBC made him Scotland Sports Personality of the Year twice, as well as Sports Personality of the Year in 2008, and awarded him its Lifetime Achievement Award.
His importance to the UK’s success in cycling is undeniable and is reminded to us as this dramatic news has been revealed. Sir Chris Hoy’s results and behaviour, on the bike and off the track, definitely participated in track cycling’s development and recognition across the country. It is no surprise that numerous support messages have been shared since Hoy’s announcement, from sports institutions like the British and Scottish Cycling federation, the Olympic Committee or Scotland’s national rugby team, to athletes such as British cyclists Mark Cavendish and Sarah Storey or football player David Beckham, but also UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer who reacted to The Sunday Times’ article on X.
Even through this ordeal, Chris Hoy appears smiling and optimistic. A few days after speaking to the media, he presented the World Track Championships in Copenhagen for the BBC. “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!” he wrote on an Instagram post shared during the competition. The Scottish sportsman announced the release of his book All that matters, coming out in November: “It’s about how we’ve coped with the diagnosis and found hope and the resolve to keep pushing on. I’m really proud of it and I hope it can help anyone facing any sort of challenge in their life, not just cancer,” he said on social media, also revealing that he will organise a charity event next year, called “Tour de 4”. It seems that the values of sport, solidarity and perseverance, have not left Sir Chris Hoy despites this terrible announcement, leaving us all only impressed by so much resilience.
“Sir Chris Hoy Driver of Algarve Racing’s Ligier JS P2 Nissan” by Dave Hamster is licensed under CC BY 2.0.