Sir Chris Hoy has opened up about the hidden reality of living with terminal cancer, admitting that the emotional impact of his diagnosis has been far more challenging than the physical effects.

The six-time Olympic champion, 50, was diagnosed with prostate cancer in September 2023 before devastatingly revealing just over a year later that the disease had spread to his bones. Doctors told the former track cycling star he was expected to live for between two and four years, but Hoy has remained determined to embrace life and make every day count.

Although he has continued working, exercising and staying involved in the sport he loves, Hoy admitted there are still moments when the weight of his diagnosis becomes overwhelming.

Speaking to The Big Issue, he explained that the psychological side of cancer has proved to be the biggest obstacle. “The mental side of a cancer diagnosis is probably the biggest challenge by far. The physical side is difficult, but the mental side is a real challenge,” he said.

The Scottish sporting icon also stressed that he does not want people to believe he has completely mastered life with terminal cancer, revealing that his emotions still fluctuate from day to day.

“I don’t want to present myself as someone doing really well, everything’s great, I’ve cracked it,” Hoy admitted. “There are some days where it’s really tough. There are ups and downs.”

Despite those difficult moments, the former cyclist said he has learned an important lesson about living with uncertainty. Rather than constantly worrying about what lies ahead, he now focuses on appreciating the present.

“You can get through the most difficult of moments if you bring yourself back to the here and now and don’t try and think too far ahead,” he explained, adding: “I think we always try to predict the future.”

Since revealing his diagnosis, Hoy has dedicated much of his time to raising awareness of cancer and supporting others facing similar challenges. His charity cycling event, Tour de 4, has helped raise funds for people affected by cancer, while he has also used his platform to encourage conversations around early diagnosis.

The Olympic legend has remained active within the sporting world as well. During last week’s opening ceremony of the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Hoy played a prominent role and has continued working as a track cycling pundit throughout the competition.

Earlier this year, Hoy also shared encouraging news about his health, revealing that his condition had entered a stable phase despite there currently being no cure for his cancer.

Speaking to Sky Sports, he said: “I’ve entered a bit of a stability stage at the moment. I’m feeling good, exercising, riding the bike, busy and most importantly cancer is not the first thing I think about in the morning when I wake up and it’s not the last thing I think about when I go to bed at night.”

He added that while he remains on continuous medication and treatment, it has not prevented him from living a fulfilling life.

“I feel good, you know, I’m on constant medications, constant treatment, but it’s not interfering too much with my life. And the most important thing is it’s working, so I’m stable at the moment, everything’s good. So making hay while the sun shines.”

Hoy’s openness has inspired thousands of people living with cancer, with many praising his honesty about both the emotional and physical realities of the disease.

According to the NHS, prostate cancer often develops without symptoms in its early stages, making early detection especially important. The disease typically begins in the outer part of the prostate, meaning symptoms may not appear until the cancer has grown or spread.

As Sir Chris Hoy continues balancing treatment, work and family life, his story remains one of resilience, determination and finding hope even in the most difficult circumstances.