Olympic legend Sir Chris Hoy made the shock announcement that his cancer is incurable after first revealing he had the disease in February.
In an Instagram post eight months ago, the cyclist said: “I am currently receiving treatment, including chemotherapy, which fortunately is going very well.” I am optimistic, positive… currently I feel good. I'm still working, cycling and living my life normally.'
By the Paris Olympics in July, Hoy looked better and made regular television appearances, providing his routine reflective insight into Team GB's performances at the Velodrome.
But, in the meantime, the 48-year-old Scot knew that his cancer was terminal and only decided to reveal the diagnosis in an interview with the newspaper this week. Sunday schedule.
In a career full of memories that sports fans will cherish forever, Mail Sport looks back at Hoy's greatest moments, from a victory against the odds 25 years ago to a glorious home Games.
Olympic legend Sir Chris Hoy made the shock announcement that his cancer is incurable after first revealing he had the disease in February.
By the Paris Olympics in July, Hoy looked better and made regular television appearances.
Cycling icon Hoy, photographed in August 2023, believes he has “two to four years” to live
1999 UCI Track Cycling World Championships
Long before Hoy was a household name and expected success in British cycling, a red-letter day of sorts took place at the 1999 UCI Track Cycling World Championships in Berlin in the team dash.
Along with teammates Craig MacLean and Jason Queally, the Scot took home an incredible silver medal in the dash. She would later follow up success at the Commonwealth Games and World Championships in 2002.
It ended up being the first in a series of medals at the World Championships and one of Hoy's favorite memories.
“I had a feeling of euphoria and disbelief,” he said.
'That we three [Craig MacLean and Jason Queally were his teammates] I could have a silver medal at the world championships, it seemed incredible. It was the first British sprint medal since Reg Harris's time.
'There was a feeling that there might be possibilities beyond that, but I remember thinking: if I do nothing else, I can always say I won a medal at the world championships. It's strange to think that now.
Three years before winning gold for Scotland at the 2002 Commonwealth Games (pictured), Hoy took silver at the 1999 UCI Track Cycling World Championships in the team dash.
A first gold
Team GB built on their success in 1999 and won their first world title at Copenhagen's Ballerup Velodrome in 2002.
It became an even sweeter tournament for Hoy when he won the one kilometer track time trial, beating Arnaud Tournant by a thousandth of a second.
The cyclist went on to win an incredible 11 world championship golds in his career.
Team GB built on their success in 1999 and won their first world title at Copenhagen's Ballerup Velodrome in 2002.
Olympic glory
Of course, fans of the sport were familiar with Hoy when he landed in Athens in 2004, as the Scot took silver in the team dash in Sydney in 2000.
But his gold in the kilometer title event launched him into the national consciousness when he broke world and Olympic records.
He would later say: “The moment that meant the most, and that I remember most vividly, was when I was waiting to climb to the top step of the podium and I heard my name followed by “Olympic champion.” '
Of course, fans of the sport were familiar with Hoy when he landed in Athens in 2004, but his gold in the kilometer title event launched him into the national consciousness.
Beijing bonanza
Man became machine in China in 2008, when Hoy became the first British male Olympian in a century to win three golds at the same Games.
All he seemed to have to do was show up and soon a medal would be hung around his neck, and the rider took victory in the men's keirin, the men's team dash and also the men's individual dash.
With Olympic fever rampant, Hoy took home the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award, beating Lewis Hamilton, who had just won the Formula One Drivers' Championship.
Man became machine in China in 2008, when Hoy became the first British male Olympian in a century to win three golds at the same Games.
All he seemed to have to do was show up and soon a medal would be hung around his neck.
Leading the team in London
Today, one of the faces that will always be associated with that golden fortnight of 2012, continued his good form at his home Games.
He then backed up his confident performance leading Team GB at the opening ceremony in front of 80,000 fans by winning his fifth and sixth Olympic gold medals to become, at the time, Great Britain's all-time gold medal winner. .
Hoy has since been surpassed by his teammate and friend Jason Kenny, who he has described as one of his “toughest opponents.”
“Jason, my young British teammate and good friend, also became one of my toughest opponents,” he said. 'He never has any fear. He never lets himself be affected by pressure, he never lets himself be intimidated.
'The way he came into the team in Beijing was amazing.
One of the faces that will always be associated with that golden fortnight of 2012, Hoy continued his good form at his home Games.
A dramatic victory in the keirin was a highlight and even brought the Scot to tears.
“He took it in stride and never worried about anything. His attitude always seems to be that he has nothing to lose. And he is the same in any situation. He also has incredible speed and acceleration.
A dramatic victory in the keirin was a highlight and even brought the Scot to tears.
Hoy has since described the victory as “an incredible way to finish it off.”