SIR Chris Hoy is one of the UK’s all-time greatest athletes, winning multiple Olympic and World Championship golds.
The Team GB legend has revealed doctors have given him just four years to live in a terminal cancer diagnosis.
Who is Chris Hoy?
Sir Christopher Hoy MBE, born March 23, 1976, is a Scottish former track cyclist who represented Great Britain in four summer Olympic Games.
The six-time Olympic gold medalist and 11-time world champion was the UK‘s most successful Olympian and Olympic cyclist of all time when he retired in 2013 — a record which lasted until 2021, when Sir Jason Kenny overtook his tally.
He is still the second-most decorated Olympic cyclist ever.
Growing up in Murrayfield near Edinburgh, Chris first jumped on a bike after being inspired by the 1982 film ET at the age of six.
He rode a BMX until the age of 15 and was ranked second in Britain, fifth in Europe and ninth in the world — before moving on to track cycling.
Chris said he first noticed track cycling during the 1986 Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh when Scottish sprinter Eddie Alexander won a bronze medal.
Sarra has been the one that has really got me through it all
Sir Chris Hoy
Away from cycling, he also competed for Scotland‘s junior rowing team, as well as playing rugby at school.
Who is Chris Hoy’s wife Sarra Kemp?
Sarra Kemp (née) was born in Scotland in 1984.
Chris and Sarra tied the knot at St Giles’ Cathedral, Edinburgh in 2010 — and she now goes by Lady Sarra Hoy.
Before the couple had their two children, she worked as a senior lawyer.
And following the premature birth of their son, Sarra became the official ambassador of Bliss Scotland — a charity for babies born sick or prematurely.
Speaking about her role, Sarra said: “… the parents need a lot of emotional support and information about what’s happening with your baby, and that’s why World Prematurity Day is so important, it’s starting a conversation.
“This doesn’t just affect babies, it’s not just mothers, it’s families and it’s the babies growing up as well and it’s about trying to let people know there is support out there.
“I’m an ambassador for Bliss baby charity, they provide support, and at the time I didn’t know I needed that.”
Chris credits much of his success to his wife of 14 years.
After winning gold at London‘s velodrome in 2012, he said: “Sarra has been the one that has really got me through it all.”
How many children does Chris Hoy have?
Chris and Sarra have two children — a son Callum and daughter Chloe.
On October 15, 2014, their son Callum was born 11 weeks early, weighing just 2lbs 2oz and having to spend the first 60 days in neonatal care — thankfully growing into a healthy toddler.
Callum was delivered by emergency caesarean section after Sarra was diagnosed with pre-eclampsia.
Sarra opened up about the trauma that still plagues her in 2021, telling the Yorkshire Post: “It was 24 hours before I even saw him.
“It was four days before I could hold him and it was like holding a frail baby bird. It was terrifying.
“You are separated from your baby by this huge plastic box and they are covered in wires and tubes. They look so fragile you are worried that you will hurt them.”
She also told Fabulous: “Initially, my biggest fear was just that Callum wouldn’t live, it is a fight for survival.
“You’re literally taking it hour by hour, then day by day, then the hard part becomes trying to let go of that fear.
“Once that passes and you think ‘this is actually happening, he’s putting on weight, he’s wearing clothes now, he can breathe by himself’, you have to begin to come to terms with the fact you can let your guard down a bit.
“That’s very hard to do and the fear doesn’t leave you for a long time.
“I would relive it, have flashbacks and cry every day probably for two years. But time is a healer.”
Sarra added: “No one prepares you for having a preterm baby, it is knowing what you can contribute.
“I was encouraged to touch Callum, but you are scared because they look so fragile.”
Their daughter Chloe was also born about three weeks early.
Although her exact date of birth isn’t publicly known, Chris revealed the news of her arrival on Twitter on September 9, 2017, writing: “Delighted to announce the safe arrival of Chloe Rose Carol Hoy this week! Sarra and Chloe doing really well.x”
When was Chris Hoy diagnosed with cancer?
In February 2024, Chris revealed he was undergoing treatment for cancer.
The 47-year-old said that despite not having any symptoms, the heartbreaking diagnosis came in 2023 during a routine check-up.
Hoy took to Instagram to break the news to his fans, posting: “I have a bit of news.
“Last year I was diagnosed with cancer, which came as a huge shock, having had no symptoms up to that point.
“I’m currently receiving treatment including chemotherapy, which thankfully is going really well.
“I’d like to extend my sincere gratitude to all the medical professionals for their amazing help and care.
“For the sake of my young family, I had hoped to keep this information private but regrettably our hand has been forced.
“Whilst I’m thankful for any support, I’d like to deal with this privately.”
But Sir Chris in fact knew that the cancer was terminal and that the treatment was “management”.
He went on to commentate the cycling events for the BBC at this year’s Paris Olympics despite his terminal cancer diagnosis.
The star had gone to the doctor in September last year after feeling a strain in his shoulder.
A tumour was found in his shoulder – before a second scan found the primary cancer in his prostate.
The prostate cancer had metastasised to Sir Chris’s bones – including his shoulder, pelvis, ribs, spine and ribs.
He has revealed today that he has terminal cancer and has been given two to four years to live.
Brave Sir Chris told the Sunday Times: “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.
“You remind yourself, aren’t I lucky that there is medicine I can take that will fend this off for as long as possible.”
Team GB cycling legend Sir Chris and his wife Sarra have two children, seven-year-old Chloe and 10-year-old Callum.
Sir Chris recounted how he told his children that no-one lives for ever but he hopes to “be here for many, many more years”.
He began chemotherapy in November, wearing an extremely painful cold cap to keep his hair.
The sportsman suffered a violent allergic reaction in gruelling chemo sessions – but only missed five days of training on a bike.
He has now written a heartbreaking memoir detailing his experience of terminal cancer.
Sir Chris revealed that his wife Sarra was diagnosed with incurable and degenerative multiple sclerosis just weeks before his cancer shock.
The couple have chosen low-risk but less effective treatments for Sarra’s MS.
On some days Sarra struggles to fit in the key in the door, Sir Chris said.
The couple have not yet told their two children about Sarra’s MS diagnosis.
Sir Chris said recording the audio version of his memoir is the hardest thing he has ever done.
The book ends with Sir Chris’s message to his children – which he said will be the words they listen to when he is gone.
All That Matters: My Toughest Race Yet by Sir Chris Hoy is published on November 7.
