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.
5. Chris Hoy on...parental pressure
"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
6. Chris Hoy on...training
"In terms of actual day-to-day training; a normal training day would begin with a gym session for about two hours, focusing on strength; so heavy weights on the lower body, with the main exercise being free weight squatting, with between one and ten repetitions depending on the time of year and the aim of the session." | Getty Images
7. Chris Hoy on...drugs in sport
"I've become Olympic champion six times and I've never taken a performance-enhancing drug in my life, but I was lucky in that I never even had the choice. I never had pressure and I never had a person come to me saying, 'You should do this.'" | Getty Images for Laureus
8. Chris Hoy on...his knighthood
"Of course I don't expect people to call me 'Sir Chris'. That'd be embarrassing." | Getty Images for Laureus