Two weeks ago, British cycling legend Sir
Chris Hoy shared
the tragic news that
his cancer is terminal, leaving him with only a few years
to live. In a recent in-depth interview with the
BBC, Hoy opened up about his journey since
being diagnosed with prostate cancer, which has now spread to his bones, and the
profound impact it has had on his life and mindset.
“I had no symptoms, no warning. Absolutely nothing. The only
thing I felt was some pain in my shoulder and ribs. I thought it was probably
due to the gym. It was the biggest shock of my life. I can still remember the
feeling. I walked back home in a daze. I just couldn’t believe it, let alone
place it,” Hoy said, recalling the moment of his diagnosis.
Hoy described how the news initially sent him into
disbelief. “It wasn’t until halfway through that I wondered where I was. Then I
started thinking: how am I going to tell my wife Sarra and the children? It was
like I was in a nightmare. Later I got the news that I was terminally ill and
only had a few years to live. The moment you hear that, your whole life flashes
before your eyes. It’s really unreal. I wanted to leave the hospital as soon as
possible, away from all the misery. But then you realize that you can’t run
away.”
The former Olympian also reflected on the difficult
experience of undergoing chemotherapy. “The chemo sessions were truly hell. I
was not ready for such torture. During a session, I did not have those two
hours in mind, but one minute. Then I looked at the seconds on the clock. If I
could hold out for one minute, the next one would also work. It is only in such
a situation that you discover how strong a person can be. What you are capable
of.”
Hoy’s battle has provided him with a new perspective on
life, including his storied career in cycling. “Then you also immediately put
cycling into perspective. 'My God, that was actually just some fun', you
realize. The stakes are much higher now. At the moments when I was riding for
Olympic gold, it felt like life and death. But that is really the case now. But
the principle is the same. What it's about is that you have to focus on things
that you can control. And not worry about things that you can't control.”
Adding to their challenges, Hoy’s wife, Sarra, was diagnosed
with multiple sclerosis last year. Reflecting on their shared struggles, Hoy
said, “At that moment, only the children kept us going. We still want to be
there for them. If I hadn’t had that goal, it would have been really, really
hard. But that’s why you’re a team as a family. You support each other. And
that’s how we keep going. Sarra is doing well. There is treatment for her
illness. She has medication to combat her illness and I also have medication
for mine. So we can only count ourselves lucky, can’t we?”
Chris Hoy's story is one of true bravery, the importance of
family, and focusing on what truly matters when facing life’s toughest battles.