Jessica Ennis-Hill, Dame Kelly Holmes and Mark Cavendish lead tributes to Chris Hoy as British sporting royalty rally around cycling legend after terminal cancer revelation
Some of the biggest names in British sport have rallied around Sir Chris Hoy after news broke on Saturday that he has been diagnosed with terminal cancer.
The 48-year-old father of two announced earlier this year that he was undergoing treatment for cancer after a medical check-up found a tumor in his shoulder.
He had gone to a doctor in September 2023 over a suspected shoulder injury, only for the tumor to be revealed, but he said at the time he was “optimistic” and was part of the BBC’s expert team for the Paris Olympics.
However, seven-time Olympic medalist – with six of those gold medals – Hoy revealed in an interview with the Sunday times that his cancer was now terminal and that he had two to four years to live.
He posted an update on his Instagram with an update from the Track Cycling World Championships in Copenhagen as part of the BBC’s coverage, thanking well-wishers and admitting he was ‘overwhelmed by the love and support’ shown to him.
Sir Chris Hoy, pictured in 2012 after winning two gold medals at the London Olympics, has revealed his cancer is terminal
Edinburgh-born Hoy is an Olympic legend and has won six gold medals and one silver medal
Hoy took to Instagram to share an update since it was announced his cancer was terminal
‘Great to be in Copenhagen to broadcast the Track Cycling World Championships with the fantastic BBC sports team. Some truly incredible performances; world records and a new generation of future stars showing us what they can do,” he wrote.
‘You may see some articles in the news this weekend about my health, so I wanted to reassure you all that I am feeling fit, strong and positive, and overwhelmed by all the love and support being shown to my family and me. Forward!’
And the sporting world responded in the best way possible, with some legendary names showing their love and support for the legendary British icon.
Fellow Scot and former Rangers star Ally McCoist wrote: ‘You, my friend, are a superstar in every sense of the word. Love and strength from all of us x.”
Two-time Olympic champion Dame Kelly Holmes added: “Sending you love Chris, (followed by a red love heart).”
The 1994 Olympic 400m hurdles champion said: ‘You are incredible Chris, sending lots of love and strength,’ with another heart emoji.
Hoy’s fellow British cycling legend Mark Cavendish added: “Hero of a man.”
England Rugby World Cup winner Matt Dawson spoke about the legacy Hoy left behind, saying: ‘Your legacy is second to none Chris’, with a powerful emoji and a blue heart.
Cycling icon Hoy, pictured in August 2023, thinks he has ‘two to four years’ left to live
Chris became Sir Chris in 2009 when he was knighted at Buckingham Palace in London
16-time Paralympic medalist Sarah Story added: ‘Sending lots of love and strength.’
Fellow 2012 Olympics hero Jessica Ennis-Hill echoed the sentiment, writing, “Sending you so much love Chris,” with another red heart.
And British Winter Olympic champion Amy Williams added: ‘A pure superhuman who everyone loves.’
The tributes weren’t just limited to the sporting world, highlighting the impact of the legendary Hoy, with British comedian Jack Whitehall writing: ‘Sending you all the love mate..’
Fellow comedian Maisie Adam similarly praised the Olympic icon: “You’re incredible, Chris! Sending you so much love, you absolute legend.”
Paddy McGuinness, meanwhile, needed just two words to sum up Hoy: “A man.”
In his announcement this week, he admitted that he knew his cancer was incurable as early as February.
Despite this, Hoy – who won six Olympic gold medals for Team GB between 2004 and 2012 – insists he still feels ‘lucky’.
Mark Cavendish praised ‘hero’ Hoy on Instagram as British sport rallied around the 48-year-old
Fellow British Olympic icon Jessica Ennis-Hill paid tribute to the cycling legend after the news
Hoy imagined himself celebrating after winning the gold medal final of the men’s keirin event in 2012
In addition to his six Olympic gold medals, Hoy also won two Commonwealth golds and eleven gold medals at the World Track Cycling Championships
Hoy and his wife Sarra – who have been married since 2010 – pictured in Berlin in February 2020
“We are all born and we are all going to die and this is just part of the process,” Hoy told The Sunday Times.
‘But I’m not lucky enough to be able to take medication that can stop this for as long as possible.’
Hoy married wife Sarra in 2010 and they have two children together.
Both children were born prematurely. Son Callum was eleven weeks premature in 2014, before daughter Chloe arrived four weeks earlier than planned.
“I still feel like we’re lucky,” Hoy said in his courageous interview.
He added: “As unnatural as it feels, this is nature.”
Hoy said he told his children that no one lives forever, but defiantly proclaimed that he hoped to “stay here for many, many more years.”
Hoy was knighted in 2008 while still an active athlete. His royal recognition came shortly after he became the first British male Olympian in 100 years to win three gold medals at one Games.
Dame Kelly Holmes (centre front) sent her love to Hoy, and both won gold for Team GB in Athens in 2004
Sarah Storey (second from left) sent ‘lots of love and strength’ to her fellow British sporting icon
Hoy photographed himself in Paris in July this year, where he attended the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games
Hoy – who won his first Olympic gold in 2004 – added two more at London 2012 before announcing his retirement from cycling in 2013.
Despite his diagnosis, Hoy remains very active.
Earlier this month he took part in a Peligoni’s Wellness Week event as part of PACE October, which involved seven bike rides over five days in Greece.