Edinburgh's Sir Chris Hoy shares new update on 'death sentence' cancer diagnosis

Yahoo

2 days ago

Edinburgh legend Sir Chris Hoy and said he wants to show "life goes on" despite admitting his cancer diagnosis felt like he received a "death sentence".
The 49-year-old was told he had stage four prostate cancer in 2023, going public with the news in February 2024 when he announced he was undergoing treatment, reports The Record.
The six-time Olympic gold medallist had visited a doctor with shoulder pain, but a scan later revealed a tumour. He revealed last October that it had spread to his bones, and that he had been told he had two to four years to live.
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He shared his experience of racing at the Mustang Challenge Le Mans Invitational on Friday, June 13, alongside British racing driver and presenter Chris Harris.
Speaking to TNT Sport, Hoy said: "I was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer almost two years ago now, and it shocked me, it rocked my world.
"It changed everything in one sentence, you're told that's not curable, but it's treatable. So suddenly, you have this death sentence, and it's terrifying, but I'm here to show that life goes on for many people in that situation."
He was part of the Academy Motorsport team, with him and Harris securing a 20th place finish with a total time of 37:34:746, with a best lap time of 4:30:864.
Hoy famously took part in Le Mans Proper in 2016, finishing 17th out of 60 drivers and 12th in class.
Speaking about the race, he added: "It's always been the endurance event. If you get the chance as an amateur driver, this is the cherry on top of the icing on top of the cake, this is the big one.
"I still pinch myself that I got to do it, when you watch on TV or come to watch it live, I still can't quite believe I was out there, elbows out with the big boys. It's different to anywhere else I've been to.
"Not many people ever get to race on this track or drive on this track. It was an incredible experience, unlike anything else I've ever done in any sport, let alone in motorsport."
It comes as he is due to take part in the Tour de 4 in September, a mass-participation bike ride which he organised with the aim of raising £1 million for UK cancer charities while changing the public's perception of a stage four diagnosis.
Speaking about the event, he said: "The bike ride is to try and get as many people together as possible, not just people suffering with cancer but anybody, to show we can keep on living, make the most of every day and live in the present, because that's all any of us have."
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It is due to begin at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome in Glasgow on September 7, and offers participants a choice of four different rides, including giving those affected by cancer the opportunity to ride on static bikes at the venue.
Revealing his stage four diagnosis in October, Hoy said: "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."
He added: "Hand on heart, I'm pretty positive most of the time and I have genuine happiness. This is bigger than the Olympics. It's bigger than anything. This is about appreciating life and finding joy."