Who is Sir Chris Hoy, how old is he how many Olympic medals did he win & how many kids has he got?
CYCLING legend Sir Chris Hoy revealed in February 2024 that he was battling cancer after a shock diagnosis.
The Olympic champion shared the news with fans in an Instagram post – after saying he had no symptoms.
Who is Sir Chris Hoy?
The Scotsman is a former track cyclist who competed in four summer Olympic Games.
He grew up in Murrayfield near Edinburgh and first jumped on a bike at the age of six after he was inspired by the 1982 film ET.
Before he moved on to track cycling, he rode a BMX bike until the age of 15 and was ranked second in Britain, fifth in Europe and ninth in the World.
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Hoy has said that he first noticed track cycling during the 1986 Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh when Scottish sprinter Eddie Alexander won a bronze medal.
Away from cycling, Hoy was sporty in other fields – representing Scotland in the Junior rowing team and playing rugby at school.
In February 2024, Hoy revealed he was undergoing treatment for cancer.
He said the shock diagnosis came in 2023 during a check-up – despite him not having any symptoms.
Hoy took to Instagram to make fans aware of his health struggles.
He wrote: “I have a bit of news.
“Last year I was diagnosed with cancer, which came as a huge shock, having had no symptoms up to that point.
“I’m currently receiving treatment including chemotherapy, which thankfully is going really well.
“I’d like to extend my sincere gratitude to all the medical professionals for their amazing help and care.
“For the sake of my young family, I had hoped to keep this information private but regrettably our hand has been forced.
“Whilst I’m thankful for any support, I’d like to deal with this privately.”
How old is he?
Hoy celebrated his 47th birthday in March 2023.
And he’s achieved a lot in his time.
Hoy is an 11-time world champion, with more than half of those medals landed at the Olympics.
In 2009, Hoy was knighted by the Prince of Wales for “services to sport” at the same time his mother, Carol, received an MBE for services to nursing.
How many Olympic medals has he won?
Hoy is an 11-time world champion and six-time Olympic champion – which makes him the second most decorated Olympic cyclist of all time.
His three gold medals at the 2008 Olympics secured him the spot of Scotland’s most successful Olympian and he became the first British athlete to win three gold medals in a single games since Henry Taylor in 1908.
Olympics
2000 – silver, team sprint (with Craig MacLean and Jason Queally)
2004 – gold, 1km track time trial
2008 – 3 gold, Team sprint (with Jason Kenny and Jamie Staff), Keirin, Sprint
2012 – 2 gold, Team sprint (with Jason Kenny and Philip Hindes), Keirin
World Championships
1999 – silver, team sprint
2000 – silver, team sprint
2001 – bronze, team sprint
2002 – 2 gold, 1km time trial, team sprint
2003 – bronze, team sprint
2004 – gold, 1km time trial
– bronze, team sprint
2005 – gold, team sprint
– bronze, 1km time trial
2006 – gold, 1km time trial
– silver, team sprint
2007 – 2 gold, keirin, 1km time trial
– silver, team sprint
2008 – 2 gold, sprint, keirin
– silver, team sprint
2010 – gold, keirin
– bronze, team sprint
2011 – 3 silver, keirin, team sprint, sprint
2012 – gold, keirin
– bronze, sprint
Commonwealth Games
2002 – gold, 1km time trial
– bronze, team sprint (with Craig MacLean and Ross Edgar)
2006 – gold, team sprint (Craig MacLean and Ross Edgar)
– bronze, 1km time trial
How many children does he have?
Hoy has been married to wife Sarra since 2010 when they tied the knot at St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh.
They have two children – a son Callum and daughter Chloe.
The pair opened up about their struggles in 2021 as both of their children were born premature.
Son Callum was born 11 weeks early, with Sarra opening up about the trauma that still plagues her.
She told the Yorkshire Post: “It was 24 hours before I even saw him.
“It was four days before I could hold him and it was like holding a frail baby bird. It was terrifying.
“You are separated from your baby by this huge plastic box and they are covered in wires and tubes. They look so fragile you are worried that you will hurt them.”
Hoy and his wife’s daughter Chloe was also born premature – about three weeks early.
Sarra said: “No one prepares you for having a preterm baby, it is knowing what you can contribute. I was encouraged to touch Callum, but you are scared because they look so fragile.”