Not long after Chris Hoy disclosed that he had been diagnosed with terminal prostate cancer, sportscaster Clare Balding shared a moving tribute to the Scottish former cyclist.
Chris was among several British celebrities facing heartbreaking health diagnoses in 2024.
Sir Chris Hoy revealed that doctors had given him two to four years to live. Raising cancer awareness gives him purpose, and Clare – hosting Crufts this weekend (March 9) – has some very nice things to say about him.
Sir Chris Hoy is a ‘real-life superhero’ according to Clare Balding
In November last year, Clare Balding went on the record to clarify something she’d said about mixed sports.
By and by, her interview wended its way to the topic of Sir Chris Hoy, the former track cyclist and racing driver who, during the course of a two-decade track cycling career, became an 11-time world champion and six-time Olympic champion.
Clare was full of praise for the Scottish sportsman.
She described Chris as a remarkable human being and “one of the loveliest men you are ever going to meet in your life”. His sporting psychology is “powerful”, she added, before summing it up: “You live in the moment. You live for right now.”
“If you were creating a sort of super hero it would be Chris Hoy,” she said. “A real life superhero. That’s Chris Hoy.”
He was happy for his friend when Jason Kenny equalled his gold medal record
While some record-holders may have been resentful at having their achievements matched by others, Chris was delighted when Jason Kenny equaled his gold medal record at the Rio Olympics in 2016, Clare said.
“We were working together – and I remember Chris leaning over the balcony to point at Jason and say: ‘Well done.’ The generosity of spirit is not always as strong among athletes who hold records. He felt immense joy. He really did. He’s so proud of Jason.”
In January, Chris told the BBC that the first few months after receiving his diagnosis were “an emotional rollercoaster”.
It was particularly heartbreaking to have to tell his kids, he has said.
But he’s more or less got his head around it now. And raising awareness of prostate cancer has lifted him, he added. It’s given him purpose.
Clare hosts Crufts this weekend on Channel 4.
Read more: Olympic legend Chris Hoy admits ‘it’s been an unimaginable year’ amid terminal cancer
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