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.
He lives in Edinburgh with his wife Sarra and their two children.
Earlier this month he revealed he had been diagnosed with stage 4 prostate cancer in 2023 and had been given between two and four years to live.
Here are 15 interesting quotes from the athlete over the years - including his reaction to his illness.
1. Chris Hoy on...playing sport
"Whatever sport I played - rugby, rowing - there were always naturally talented people who were better than me." | Getty Images
2. Chris Hoy on...being Scottish
"Scottish people don't take themselves too seriously. I think you have to be like that when you're from a place where the weather is bad." | Getty Images for The National Lo
3. Chris Hoy on...his inspiration
"I was six when I saw 'ET.' It changed my life. I wasn't interested in cycling at all before." | Getty Images
4. 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." | AFP via Getty Images