Chris Hoy’s wife, Sarra, was diagnosed with MS just weeks after the Olympian’s terminal cancer diagnosis.
Sarra visited her GP after experiencing a strange tingling sensation in her face and tongue.
Doctors then informed her that she had an ‘aggressive’ form of MS (multiple sclerosis), a degenerative disease for which there is no cure.
Yesterday, in a brave revelation, Chris shared that he has ‘just two to four years’ left to live. In his memoir, the Olympian detailed how his wife’s diagnosis was delivered only weeks after he discovered he had cancer.
During an interview with the Times Hoy also revealed that their children make their prognosis more painful as they are reminded of what is at stake.
Following the announcement, the family has received an outpouring of support from fellow athletes and celebrities.
The 11-time world cycling champion -who was diagnosed with cancer in Febuary -has always spoken most highly of his wife, who has remained positive and supportive while they raise their two young children during this challenging time.
Sarra, 40, did not reveal her devastating prognosis until December amid the anguish of her husband’s diagnosis.
Heartfelt messages from celebrities and fans have now been posted on social media platform X.
Fellow Olympian Matthew Pinsent said: ‘Chris Hoy is one of the finest to ever represent our country. Thoughts with him, Sarra and his immediate family’.
TV presenter Dan Walker posted: ‘If you can meet with triumph and disaster and treat those two imposters just the same”.
‘Blown away by the resilience and determination of Hoy this morning.
‘Shortly after being told that he has between 2-4 years to live because of his terminal cancer… his lovely wife, Sarra, was diagnosed with MS.
‘The man remains an incredible inspiration. Sending love to the whole family.’
Ex Ruby Union player Brian Moore said: ‘This is really s*** news. An astounding athlete, a great man and dad – terrible for Sarra and their young family.’
Sports commentator Jacquie Beltrao posted her heartfelt support she said: ‘Love and hugs to @chrishoy & his family after he reveals his cancer is Stage 4, in his bones, terminal.
‘But typically he’s getting on with life. Let me tell you it’s not easy dealing with this diagnosis – I found the first 6 months mental torture – hope you’re doing OK Chris’.
Journalist Henry Winter added: ‘Going Underground, heading to @talkSPORT 9am to talk Tuchel and the English coaching pathway with Paul Simpson & Steve Baker.
‘Also reflecting on the sad news about Sir Chris Hoy. His impact is not just on sport but on UK life; he’s inspired so many to take up cycling & get fitter.’
ITV presenter Ned Bpoulting said: ‘Chris Hoy is one of the finest men I’ve ever been lucky enough to meet. That’s the truth of it.’
Sarra, 40, worked as a senior lawyer before the couple, who married in Edinburgh in 2010, had their two children, Callum, nine, and Chloe, six.
On the more difficult days, she finds it a challenge to fit her key in the door, but has remained positive, continuing to run and attend gym classes, according to Sir Hoy.
The 48-year-old – who won six Olympic gold medals for Team GB between 2004 and 2012 – revealed in February that he had been diagnosed with cancer.
In a statement published to Instagram, Hoy described himself as ‘optimistic’ and ‘positive’.
However, he announced this week in an interview with The Times that his cancer was terminal – and that he had known this for over a year. Despite this, Hoy insists that he still feels very ‘lucky’.
Sir Hoy’s cancer was discovered after a trip to the doctor in September last year when the Scot was feeling a strain in his shoulder.
A tumour was then discovered in his shoulder, before a second scan located the primary cancer in his prostate.
‘It’s the closest I’ve come to, like, you know, why me? Just, what? What’s going on here? It didn’t seem real. It was such a huge blow,’ he told the Times of his wife’s MS diagnosis.
‘When you’re already reeling. You think nothing could possibly get worse. You literally feel like you’re at rock bottom, and you find out, oh no, you’ve got further to fall. It was brutal.’
Prior to his interview with the publication, very few people knew of his wife’s condition.
Sarra’s outlook has remained enthusiastic despite the serious health challenges the pair have faced whilst raising their children.
He told the publication: ‘She says all the time, ‘How lucky are we?’
‘We both have incurable illnesses for which there is some treatment. Not every disease has that. It could be a lot worse’.
Hoy added that he had told his children that no-one lives forever but defiantly proclaimed that he hoped to ‘be here for many, many more years’.
In his brave interview, he said: ‘As unnatural as it feels, this is nature. You know, we were all born and we all die, and this is just part of the process.
‘You remind yourself, aren’t I lucky that there is medicine I can take that will fend this off for as long as possible.’
Sarra previously made headlines when she joined queues and waited 11 hours to pay her respects to the late Queen’s coffin as it lay in state at St Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh in September 2012.
In an interview with Good Morning Britain, Sarra revealed: ‘I grew up in a military family… I had met the Queen on a couple of occasions.
‘The Queen was woven into every fabric of our lives… she has been that level, steadfast force in all of our lives […] She has made a connection with people not just as a head of state… but also on a personal level.’
Sir Hoy was knighted in 2008 while he was still an active athlete.
His royal recognition came shortly after he became the first British male Olympian in 100 years to win three gold medals at one Games.
Sir Hoy – who won his first Olympic gold in 2004 – added two more at London 2012 before announcing his retirement from cycling in 2013.