Sir Chris Hoy, one of Britain’s most celebrated athletes, is facing the toughest ride of his life—but not on the Olympic velodrome. The 49-year-old six-time Olympic gold medallist recently revealed he broke his leg in what he describes as the "worst crash" he has ever had. The accident happened while Hoy was riding his mountain bike, a hobby he’s refused to give up despite undergoing chemotherapy for terminal prostate cancer. "I've smashed my leg up on the mountain bike, that's the worst thing that's happened recently. You just don't bounce like you do when you're younger," Hoy told Sky Sports. He didn’t specify the exact date or circumstances of the crash, but the impact was severe enough to leave him on crutches and, in his words, "hobbling about."
Despite the setback, Hoy remains determined to keep moving forward. He’s set his sights on attending the World Darts Championship final at London’s Alexandra Palace on January 3, 2026, hoping to be "a bit more mobile" by then. "It was a big one. I'm doing better now, I'm still on crutches, hobbling about, but by the time I'm there for the darts final on January 3, hopefully I'll be a bit more mobile," he said in the same interview. The crash, he admits, shook him, but he’s quick to put things in perspective: "Worse things happen. I've been riding bikes for 43 years and it's the worst crash I've ever had. I'm pretty lucky that's the worst one I've had in all those years of riding."
Hoy’s resilience in the face of adversity is nothing new. The Scottish cycling legend first revealed his battle with cancer in September 2023, after a visit to the doctor for shoulder and rib pain led to the discovery of a tumour. Diagnosed initially with primary prostate cancer, Hoy’s journey took a grim turn in October 2024 when he learned the cancer had spread to his bones, making it incurable. Doctors gave him a prognosis of two to four years to live. "Once you've got past the diagnosis, which for me was over two years ago, now the first part of that is pretty grim and then you start the treatment," Hoy explained to Sky Sports. "Then, if you're lucky like me, you respond to the treatment and enter a period of kind of stability."
In a candid conversation with BBC Sport, Hoy reflected on how his diagnosis has changed his outlook. "It's changed my life without question, but I think in some ways it's improved my life. It's changed my outlook on a lot of things. I'm not as bothered by small things. I think I try and focus on the here and the now, enjoying the moment, making the most of today, and trying to find something positive in any situation," he said. He credits his ability to keep doing what he loves—cycling and spending time with family—for helping him maintain a positive mindset. "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."
Hoy’s story is one of resilience, not just for himself, but for his family as well. In October 2023, Lady Sarra Hoy, his wife, was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) at the age of 44—a devastating blow that came just months after Hoy’s own cancer diagnosis. "She’s doing fine. It was the final kick in the teeth when you thought it couldn’t get any worse. To get that news literally a month or two after my diagnosis, that was the lowest point really," Hoy told The Sports Agents Podcast. But he quickly added, "She’s an incredible human being. We’re still pushing on and we’re still having fun. We’ve got the house decorated for Christmas. There are times when it’s tough but we’re doing really well. There are times where you forget about it. It’s not like two years ago when you woke up and the first thing you thought about was cancer." Together, the couple are raising their two children, Callum (11) and Chloe (8), and focusing on the joys of daily life.
Hoy’s determination to keep living life to the fullest is evident not just in his words, but in his actions. This September, he inaugurated the Tour de 4 charity ride, which started and finished at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome in Glasgow. The event saw 5,000 participants and raised £2.13 million for five cancer charities—more than double its initial target. According to Cycling Weekly, Hoy was among the riders, showing the same commitment and competitive spirit that made him a legend on the track.
Hoy’s cycling career is the stuff of legend. He is Britain’s second-most decorated Olympian, with seven Olympic medals—six gold and one silver—won across the Athens 2004, Beijing 2008, and London 2012 Games. He also claimed 11 World Championship golds and 34 World Cup titles before retiring in 2013. Hoy was knighted in 2009, a testament to his contribution to British sport. Yet, despite all his accolades, he remains remarkably grounded. "You can trip walking up steps to your front door and hurt yourself. The point is I'm not a massive risk taker, but I want to live my life and I want to make the most of it. None of us are here forever so you want to make the most of the time you have and do the things you enjoy," he told Sky Sports.
His optimism is also rooted in his faith in medical science. "It's not completely stable, there's times where it comes back and then you have to change treatment, but the fortunate thing for me in my situation, there are a number of different treatments out there, as there is for any man with prostate cancer. It's putting faith in science and knowing that right today, there are countless people all around the world working on new medications, new treatments, and with the hope that one day it won't be a terminal diagnosis, but I'm doing fine," Hoy told the Daily Mail.
As Christmas approaches, Hoy is looking forward to spending time with his family, despite the challenges he and Lady Sarra continue to face. "I've just had an unfortunate spill and it's the way the cookie crumbles. I'm doing alright now, I wasn't doing so well in the immediate aftermath of it, but looking forward to Christmas," he said, capturing the mixture of stoicism and hope that has defined his public persona.
For fans and fellow athletes alike, Hoy’s journey is a powerful reminder of the importance of resilience, the value of family, and the determination to find joy—no matter what life throws your way.
