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Born in the Murrayfield area of Edinburgh in 1976, Chris Hoy was educated at George Watsons College before studying at the University of St Andrews and the University of Edinburgh, where he graduated with a degree in applied sports science.
He competed in BMX racing from the age of seven, at one point being ranked second in the UK, and also represented Scotland in rowing before taking up track cycling.
That decision saw Hoy become Scotland’s greatest ever Olympian, winning six gold and one silver medal between 2012 and 2021. He also won 11 world titles and two Commonwealth gold medals.
Read more: ‘We’re all terminal’ - Olympic legend Sir Chris Hoy on coming to terms with his cancer diagnosis
He lives in Edinburgh with his wife Sarra and their two children and was awarded a knighthood in the 2009 New Year Honours list.
In October 2024 he revealed he had been diagnosed with stage 4 prostate cancer in 2023 and had been given between two and four years to live.
And this week saw him mark his 50th birthday on Monday, March 26.
To mark the day here are 26 interesting quotes from the athlete over the years - including his reaction to his illness.
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1. Chris Hoy on...competitive parents
"The biggest thing I noticed growing up when I was doing BMX racing or playing rugby through to secondary school level, was seeing the parents who were so desperate to see their kids do well that they were almost living their lives through their kids and putting huge pressure on them to the point they weren't enjoying it." | Getty Images
2. Chris Hoy on...athletes
"Athletes are some of the most insecure people on the planet." | Getty Images
3. Chris Hoy on...his first bike
"My dad got an old bike for five pounds, re-sprayed it, made it look like a BMX and put big handlebars on it. I loved it." | Getty Images for The National Lo
4. Chris Hoy on...getting a knighthood
"I made a comment saying that it was 'mad' that I'm getting a knighthood for riding a bike but I meant mad as in unbelievable." | Getty Images