Sir Chris Hoy says terminal cancer diagnosis taught him how to live

March 20, 2026 No Comments

Sir Chris Hoy says terminal cancer diagnosis taught him how to live3 hours agoShareSaveShareSaveGetty ImagesSir Chris says his wife Sarra, who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis shortly after he learned of his own prognosis, keeps him anchoredSir Chris Hoy has described how his terminal prostate cancer diagnosis has taught him how to get the best out of life. The six-time Olympic cycling champion revealed in October 2024 that doctors had told him he had between two and four years left to live.

He told how he initially started thinking of a “bucket list” but soon learned it was better to focus on small things and life in the moment.

Sir Chris was speaking as registration opened for this year’s Tour de 4, a cycling event he started to change perspectives on stage four cancer and raise money for cancer charities.

I’ve realised I can make a difference – Hoy

Cyclist Sir Chris Hoy announces his cancer is terminal

Sir Chris told BBC Radio Scotland Breakfast that it took him a while to work out how best to deal with such a devastating diagnosis.

But he soon learned: “You have to look for the positives, you have to look for the opportunities in any situation.”

He reported becoming aware of his own mortality “brought everything into focus”.

“Tomorrow’s not a given for anybody,” reported Sir Chris. “It’s trying not to sweat the small stuff.

“Trying to appreciate that when little things happen that perhaps previously would have got me annoyed, frustrated – I’m better at letting them go now.”

He described how when he was given his diagnosis his first reaction was to think of “bucket list things, things I’ve not done, I’ve wanted to do” – but that soon changed.

Sir Chris Hoy reflects on now enjoying the “little things in life

“When the dust settled I realised that the important things I wanted to do were the small things, the things that we often glaze over, that we don’t even reflect on,” he reported.

“Time spent with your kids, with our loved ones, a moment reflecting as the sun comes up in the morning and you have your coffee, and you think ‘ah, it’s wonderful.’

“Little things that we’re just so busy in life that we tend to dismiss or move on from very quickly but if you can slow things down, for all of us, not just anybody in my situation.

“Appreciating the moment and recognising that what’s done, what’s in the past, you can’t change that – and what’s coming in the future, you don’t actually know, good or bad, so there’s no point worrying right now.

“You may as well just enjoy the moment. If you worry about something you suffer twice.”

Sir Chris also spoke about the “really difficult” period when wife Sarra was diagnosed with MS, shortly after his own diagnosis.

He reported: “She has been the person that’s really kept me centred and anchored and focused when things are chaotic.

“She’s a remarkable person.”

Sir Chris reported the Tour de 4 charity event had given him “something positive to find in a really difficult situation and try to make the best of it”.

The first Tour de 4 was held last September with 5,000 people riding around Glasgow and the Campsie Hills, raising £3.1m for cancer charities.

The first Tour de 4 last year raised more than £3m for cancer charities

PA Media Sir Chris Hoy leads a group of cyclists at the start of a cycling event — The first Tour de 4 last year raised more than £3m for cancer charities

“This is not just for serious cyclists in lycra and expensive bikes – this is for anybody,” he reported.

“The whole point of the Tour de 4 is we’re trying to change perceptions of stage four cancer and trying to get as many people who are living with cancer to take part.”

The event includes a 50-mile and a 30-mile loop as well a 1km loop within the grounds of Glasgow’s Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome where people can do as many laps as they feel able.

There are also static bikes inside the velodrome.

“You can literally book in for one minute and still feel part of it,” reported Sir Chris

“It was such a celebration last year, so many uplifting stories – so many people in a situation to me who are getting on with living their lives and doing something positive to fight back and to raise funds for really important causes.”

This year’s Tour de 4 will take place on 6 September, starting and finishing in Glasgow.

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