Sir Chris Hoy gives rousing SPOTY speech amid terminal cancer battle as fans left in tears

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Sir Chris Hoy left fans in tears after giving a rousing speech at this year's Sports Personality of the Year awards amid his cancer battle.

The 48-year-old Olympian appeared at the BBC event this evening to hail the efforts of Team GB's stars, who competed at the Paris Games during the summer. The 11-time world champion and six-time Olympic champion took to the stage to celebrate the games as participants were handed awards.

Speaking to the crowd at MediaCity in Salford, he said: "The Olympics and Paralympics are special. Every four long years, it's always the date ringed in the diary.

"Sometimes as an athlete, when you draw back the curtains in the morning and you see the frost on the ground, you might question 'is it worth leaving your warm bed into the cold and dark to face the inevitable pain of training?' One thousand, four hundred and sixty days of pure obsession for a single event.

"But let me tell you, it's worth it. Paris this summer showed us all it's worth it. A sporting party of epic proportions. Thousands of Olympians and Paralympians gave us all at home life's one remaining truly unfiltered drama over six glorious weeks."

He continued: "Team GB and Paralympics GB crossed the channel and in their hearts they carried all your hopes and dreams. Whether they took home the gold medal or fell agonisingly short, we were proud of each and every one of them.

"It's what drives us as competitors - the thought that we have something bigger than ourselves to represent. What showed more than anything this summer is that the spirit of the games is undimmed.

"The spirit of our team is undimmed. It's now on you all athletes, coaches, mums, dads, fans, never let this incredible team fade away. Together, we've built something truly special. Across the summer games in Paris, we had a team to be proud of. So please join me in applauding our Team GB and Paralympics GB heroes."

His oration left fans across the country emotional as warm wishes were paid to the sporting legend by fans online.

Daena Mistry wrote: "My heart is breaking for Sir Chris Hoy just watching him." Kirsty Simmer said:" Seeing Sir Chris Hoy on TV brings a tear of joy to my eye every time. Hope we can keep seeing him for a long long time, what a brave fighter."

Journalist Philip Nolan said: "Sir Chris Hoy. A superb athlete. I wish him the very best, and all the quality time his illness will allow." Kim Fenton said: "Well that was an emotional speech from Sir Chris Hoy."

Donna Rees said: "Oh my, Sir Chris Hoy, tears now." Lucy Gary wrote: "Sir Chris Hoy! I'm literally in floods of tears."

Sir Chris was first diagnosed with cancer in September last year, but announced in October that his condition was terminal. Doctors found a tumour on his shoulder but later discovered primary cancer in his prostate, which had spread to his bones.

Tragically, Scotsman Hoy's wife Sarra, who he has two young children with, was also diagnosed with a "very active and aggressive" form of multiple sclerosis just weeks after he received his cancer diagnosis. The couple admitted it had been 'the toughest year' of their lives by 'some stretch'.

He said in an Instagram video in October: "Hi everyone, I just wanted to share an update about my health. After telling you that I was receiving treatment for cancer. I'm so grateful to everyone for their incredible kindness and support.

"You have heard by now that I'm ready to share that my cancer is stage 4. I will be living with it for the rest of my life. Now it's not the news anyone imagines hearing, and it obviously came as a huge shock.

"We've taken time to process it as a family. And I now have a deep resolve to turn this incredibly difficult diagnosis into something more positive that can help not just me, but anyone anywhere living with stage 4."

Sir Chris has spoken in detail about his situation in his memoir All That Matters.

He said: "It’s a book for anybody going through a difficult time. But you can get through it. You have to be able to be quite tough for yourself in terms of saying, right, I’m going to actively choose not to embrace the negative thoughts. I’m going to actively not, I’m not going to let them creep in.

"They will, they will come, but you’ve got to push them away and focus on, focus on the here and the now. You don’t think too far ahead. You know, the future doesn’t exist yet. All we’ve got is the present."

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