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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Health
Danyel Vanreenen

Chris Hoy on redefining late-stage cancer: ‘There’s plenty of life left in us’

Sir Chris Hoy stands in front of a new mural of himself (Jane Barlow/PA) - (PA Wire)

Six-time Olympic gold medallist Sir Chris Hoy is on a mission to redefine the perception of people living with stage four cancer.

On Friday morning in Glasgow, the cyclist said “there’s plenty of life left in us”.

Sir Chris revealed in 2024 that his prostate cancer had spread to his bones. Doctors subsequently gave him between two and four years to live.

Speaking to the Press Association, he said he was “doing fine”.

At the moment, he said that his cancer is not stopping him from doing anything that he loves.

Sir Chris Hoy is being treated for cancer (Jane Barlow/PA) (PA Wire)
Sir Chris Hoy is being treated for cancer (Jane Barlow/PA) (PA Wire)

“I’m doing fine, thanks,” Sir Chris said.

“The Tour de 4 is the main focus for me the next few months.”

The event is a charity bike ride for people affected by cancer, which is taking place in Glasgow in September.

It raised more than £3.1 million in its inaugural year in 2025, and it will support five major UK cancer charities as well as challenge perceptions of people living with stage four cancer.

“It’s trying to demonstrate, rather than just talking about it, that all these people who are in a similar situation to me – living with stage four cancer – that there’s plenty of life left in us, and we’re determined to make the most of it, and not have cancer define who you are,” Sir Chris said.

He previously said the Tour de 4 event has become a driving force for him following his terminal cancer diagnosis.

“You don’t have to be facing a stage four cancer diagnosis to have tough moments,” Sir Chris said.

“I guess for me and for my family, the thing that we’ve tried to do is to not look too far ahead and to still have plans for the future and still have goals and aims and things to look forward to.”

Speaking about holding on to hope, he said it is about appreciating the small things and making the most out of the present.

Sir Chris Hoy won Olympic medals (Robert Perry/PA) (PA Archive)
Sir Chris Hoy won Olympic medals (Robert Perry/PA) (PA Archive)

“Don’t forget to enjoy the moment and don’t forget to appreciate the present, because it passes you by very easily,” the Olympian said.

“You’re always on to the next thing and focused on what’s next, and you can miss out on the nice stuff around you – and it’s not necessarily the big things.”

He continued: “We have big targets and big events to look forward to, of course, but I think it’s also appreciating the small things that helps you to stay grounded, and to make the most out of the present moment.”

Circling back to the Tour de 4, Sir Chris said the main two rides for the event in September are already sold out, but he said there are still places for the static bikes in the track centre and for the family loop, which is a 1k loop inside the velodrome complex.

He said people can still be part of the event by donating.

“It really is going to be a big challenge to try and beat the £3.1 million target that we achieved from last year,” Sir Chris said.

“Every single pound will go towards improving people’s lives, living with cancer, and for the future as well.”

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