How Sir Chris Hoy created an Olympic legacy with wife Sarra by his side after he was inspired to cycle by watching E.T.

SIR CHRIS HOY created an Olympic legacy that would be the envy of any athlete with a glittering career.

Sir Chris revealed on Saturday that he was given just four years to live with a terminal cancer diagnosis.

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The 48-year-old has become one of Britain’s most beloved Olympians and has done it all with wife Sarra by his side.

And, unbelievably, the six-time Olympic gold medalist did it all inspired by Steven Spielberg’s film ET.

Sir Chris was just six years old when that 1982 film forever changed the trajectory of his life.

“I was six years old when I saw ET,” he told The Guardian in 2020. “It changed my life. for B.

“Then I saw those BMX bikes on the screen and I was fascinated. It wasn’t the scene where they ride their bikes through the sky, but when they are chased by the police and they are jumping and skidding around the corners.

“It was the most exciting thing I’ve ever seen. I wanted to do it.”

His father bought him a £5 bike in a clearance sale as a result of his new passion – four years later Sir Chris was competing in the semi-final of a BMX World Championship race.

The star finally turned his attention from BMX to the track in 1992, focusing exclusively on cycling after spending a lot of time educating rowing and playing rugby.

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British team

Sir Chris’ decision to focus on cycling paid off as after just four years of track cycling with the Dunedin club and The City of Edinburgh Racing Squad, the Scot secured a place in the British squad.

In his third year with the team, he got his first taste of success.

Alongside teammates Craig MacLean and Jason Queally, Sir Chris won silver at the 1999 UCI Track Cycling World Championships.

The medals started coming in from there, as he enjoyed success at the Commonwealth Games and World Championships in 2002.

Throughout his incredible career, Sir Chris won 11 World Championship gold medals and two Commonwealth gold medals.

He also won 16 silver and bronze medals in the two events.

Wife Sara

Sir Chris has long attributed his success to his wife Sarra, who he has been with for around 14 years.

Speaking at London 2012, he said: “Sarra was the one who really helped me get through it all.”

Unfortunately, Sarra was diagnosed with an “aggressive” form of multiple sclerosis.

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Olympic success

Sir Chris made his first Olympic appearance in 2000 at the Sydney Games.

He won his first medal Down Under, taking home silver in the team sprint.

But it was at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens that Hoy really made his mark on the Olympics.

The gold medal in the 1km time trial gave him his first victory on the Olympic stage.

Sir Chris previously recalled: “The moment that meant the most, and which I remember most vividly, was when I was waiting to step up to the top step of the podium and I heard my name followed by ‘Olympic champion’.”

The 2008 Olympics in Beijing saw Sir Chris win THREE gold medals – securing first place in the sprint, team sprint and keirin.

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London 2012

Most fans will remember Sir Chris for his efforts at the home Olympics, setting the London velodrome on fire.

Following his incredible efforts in Beijing, Hoy was chosen as Team GB’s flag bearer – leading the team in front of 80,000 fans.

His efforts in London didn’t disappoint either, winning two more gold medals to add to his crowded mantle.

These medals made him Team GB’s greatest ever gold medal winner.

He has since been dethroned from that title by teammate, friend and one of his “toughest opponents”, Jason Kenny.

However, Sir Chris will always be considered one of the faces of the London Games.

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