Olympic legend Sir Chris Hoy says he has terminal cancer and “two to four years” to live.

Sir Chris, 48, revealed earlier this year he was being treated for an unspecified type of cancer and was “optimistic, positive and surrounded by love”.

However, the former track cyclist announced in an interview with The Sunday Times that his cancer – which was diagnosed as prostate cancer – was terminal – and that he had “known this for over a year”.

In a memoir about his past year, Sir Chris recounts the moment he was given the news.

He described how, after being initially found with a tumour in his shoulder, doctors discovered primary cancer in his prostate which had metastasised to his bones.

Sir Chris with the three gold medals he won during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. Pic: PA
Image:Sir Chris with the three gold medals he won during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. Pic: PA

In the interview with the newspaper, the ex-Team GB cyclist, who was knighted in 2008, said: “As unnatural as it feels, this is nature.

“You know, we were all born and we all die, and this is just part of the process.

“You remind yourself, aren’t I lucky that there is medicine I can take that will fend this off for as long as possible.”

Sir Chris, originally from Edinburgh, told The Sunday Times he had two to four years to live.

Sir Chris and his wife Sarra Kemp at the GQ Men Of The Year Awards 2021. Pic: Reuters
Image:Sir Chris and his wife Sarra Kemp at the GQ Men Of The Year Awards 2021. Pic: Reuters

But it’s not the only challenge being faced by Sir Chris, as he revealed in his memoir how his wife, Sarra Kemp, was diagnosed with “very active and aggressive” multiple sclerosis just a month or so after he was found to have stage 4 cancer.

“It was such a huge blow, when you’re already reeling.”

Competing at the World Track Cycling Championships in Copenhagen, Denmark, in March 2010. Pic: PA
Image:Competing at the World Track Cycling Championships in Copenhagen, Denmark, in March 2010. Pic: PA

Sir Chris is an 11-time world champion with six Olympic gold medals and one silver at three different games – Athens, Beijing and London in 2012.

These medal hauls made Sir Chris the most successful British Olympian until his tally was surpassed by Sir Jason Kenny in Tokyo.

Since retiring in 2013, Sir Chris has launched new careers, including in motorsport, where he competed as a Le Mans racing driver.

Sir Chris announced his retirement from competitive cycling in April 2013. Pic: Reuters/Action Images/Graham Stuart Livepic
Image:Sir Chris announced his retirement from competitive cycling in April 2013. Pic: Reuters/Action Images/Graham Stuart Livepic

He has also worked as a TV pundit on the Olympics and as an author, publishing two children’s fiction books.

Sir Chris has been married to Sarra, 38, since 2010. They have two children, Callum and Chloe.