Sir Chris and Lady Sarra Hoy given Freedom of City of London
Sir Chris Hoy and his wife Lady Sarra Hoy have received the Freedom of the City of London.They have been recognised for their charitable work on cancer awareness and neonatal care, in addition to Sir Chris' sporting achievements as a British track cyclist.The couple, who have been married since 2010, attended a joint ceremony at the Lord Mayor's official residence, The Mansion House, on Thursday."London will always have a very special place in my heart, being the flag-bearer at the 2012 Olympic Games is an experience that will stay with me forever," Sir Chris said.
"It is a great honour to receive the Freedom of the City; thank you."Sir Chris, a six-time Olympic cycling champion, 49, revealed in February 2024 he was undergoing cancer treatment, including chemotherapy.In October 2024 he announced that his diagnosis was terminal and said he was told by doctors that he had two to four years to live.As well as six Olympic golds, the Edinburgh-born athlete won 11 world championships and 34 World Cup titles by the time he retired from competitive racing in 2013.He was knighted in the 2008 New Year Honours List after his success at the Beijing Olympics.The couple were nominated for the Freedom by Lord Mayor of London Alastair King and Caroline Haines, who is chair of the City of London Corporation's Epping Forest and Commons Committee.Sir Chris and Lady Sarra's son Callum was born at 29 weeks weighing 2lbs 2oz (about 960g) in 2014.Lady Sarra is an ambassador for Bliss, a UK charity for sick and premature babies. She said she was deeply touched and honoured to have her charity work recognised. The tradition of the Freedom of the City is believed to date back to 1237.
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