How Chris Hoy went from lad on £5 bike inspired by ET to 6-time Olympic champion as he reveals cancer diagnosis aged 47

OLYMPIC champion Sir Chris Hoy has announced he has been diagnosed with cancer aged 47.

The six-golds winner began cycling at the age of six after he was inspired by the 1982 film ET.

Sir Chris Hoy began cycling at the age of six

The six-golds winner was inspired by the 1982 film ETAlamy

PA

Sir Chris has said he is receiving treatment for cancer in a post on his Instagram account[/caption]

INSTAGRAM@CHRISHOY

Chris Hoy revealed his diagnosis in a statement on Instagram[/caption]

Before he moved on to track cycling, he rode a BMX bike until the age of 15.

Sir Chris was ranked second in Britain, fifth in Europe and ninth in the World.

His dad picked up a £5 bike from a jumble sale – four years later Sir Chris was competing in the semi-final of a BMX world championship race.

“I was six when I saw ET,” he told The Guardian in 2020. “It changed my life. I wasn’t interested in cycling at all before.”

“The bikes I’d seen in Edinburgh just seemed functional things for getting from A to B,” continued Hoy, who grew up in Murrayfield.

“Then I saw those BMX bikes on screen and I was hooked. It wasn’t the scene where they cycle across the sky, but when they get chased by the police and they’re doing jumps and skidding round corners.

“It was the most exciting thing I’d ever seen. I wanted to do that.”

Sir Chris first noticed track cycling during the 1986 Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh when Scottish sprinter Eddie Alexander won a bronze medal.

Away from cycling, Sir Chris was sporty in other fields – representing Scotland in the Junior rowing team and playing rugby at George Watson’s College.

In 1992 the future Olympic star turned his attention squarely to land and focused on track cycling, first with the Dunedin club, then The City of Edinburgh Racing Squad.

Four years later he became part of the British national squad.

A world championship medal came in 1999 with silver in the team sprint.

Sir Chris went on to become the second most decorated Olympic cyclist of all time.

He credits much of his success to his wife of 14 years Sarra, previously saying: “Sarra has been the one that has really got me through it all.”

They share two children – Callum and Chloe.

It comes as the 47-year-old revealed he is currently undergoing treatment, including chemotherapy.

He added that it is “going really well” and that he currently feels “fine”.

It is not known what type of cancer Sir Chris was diagnosed with.

Writing on his Instagram account, Sir Chris said the diagnosis came as a “huge shock”.

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.

Sir Chris extended his “sincere gratitude” to medical professionals for their “amazing help and care.”

“My heart goes out to the many others who are also going through similar challenges right now.

The Scotsman asked for privacy following the announcement.

He added: “While I’m thankful for any support, I’d like to deal with this privately.

“My heart goes out to the many others who are also going through similar challenges right now.

“I’m optimistic, positive and surrounded by love for which I’m truly grateful.

“As you might imagine, the last few months have been incredibly difficult. However, I currently feel fine.”

Instagram

His dad picked up a £5 bike from a jumble sale[/caption]

Instagram

Sir Chris went on to become the second most decorated Olympic cyclist of all time[/caption]