Sir Chris Hoy, the 49-year-old Olympic cycling legend, has revealed the heart-wrenching impact his terminal cancer diagnosis has had on his young children. Diagnosed with stage 4 prostate cancer in September 2023, Chris was given a prognosis of just two to four years — news that sent shockwaves through his family.
Speaking to the BBC, his wife, Lady Sarra Hoy — who herself was diagnosed with MS around the same time — shared the innocent but devastating questions their children, Callum (born 2014) and Chloe (born 2017), asked. “They were scared, they’d heard about cancer. Questions come very quickly: ‘Will he die? Will I catch it? Did I cause it? Was it because I was naughty?’” she explained. “They didn’t quite verbalise it, but it’s one of the very common things for children.”
To help their children process the news, while Chris endured chemotherapy and recovered from a serious leg injury caused by his “worst crash ever,” the family created a symbolic cherry blossom tree in their garden. Painted with bare branches, the children added real blossoms each day during Chris’ treatment — a tender daily ritual of “helping daddy regrow,” Sarra said, holding back tears.
Despite the devastating circumstances, Chris remains resolute in making the most of every moment. “At the very least, I’m trying to reject negativity because it brings you down,” he said. “If you can, in any situation, look for the positives and surround yourself with people who do the same. I’m doing well. I’m able to keep doing all the things that I enjoy, spend a lot of time with my family, and I hope to be around for a lot longer yet.”
The Olympian also emphasized the importance of prostate cancer awareness, warning that without proper screening, thousands of men may face late diagnoses. His courage, openness, and focus on positivity serve as a powerful reminder of the impact of family, resilience, and hope in the face of life-changing news.
