Tributes for 'hero' Olympic legend after sad reveal

The British sporting world has paid tribute to champion cyclist Sir Chris Hoy after he revealed his diagnosis with terminal cancer.

Speaking with The Sunday Times, Hoy revealed he has two to four years of life left after learning his cancer diagnosis had become terminal.

Social media was flooded with messages of support for Hoy, who is currently working on the BBC's coverage of the World Track Cycling Championships in Copenhagen.

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Hoy expressed his gratitude for the supportive messages he has received since the article's publication on Sunday (AEDT).

"You may see in the news this weekend some articles about my health, so I just wanted to reassure you all that I'm feeling fit, strong and positive," he wrote on Instagram.

"Overwhelmed by all the love and support shown to my family and me. Onwards."

Scottish Cycling wrote on Instagram: "Sending our love and best wishes to Sir Chris and his family from everyone in the Scottish Cycling community.

"As ever, he continues to be an inspiration on and off the track."

Fellow Olympic cyclist Sir Mark Cavendish was among the many British sporting stars to comment on the post.

"Hero of a human being," Cavendish wrote.

"Sending love to you Chris," Dame Kelly Holmes, three-time Olympic track medallist added."

"Legend," Team GB Paralympic cycling medallist Archie Atkinson said. 

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UK health secretary Wes Streeting expressed his support and admiration for Hoy's openness during such a life defining moment.

"I'm in awe that Chris Hoy is meeting his cancer with the same positivity and resilience that has defined his life and career," Streeting wrote on X.

"The whole country will be cheering him on as we have done so many times before and sending him and his family so much love."

Streeting, a cancer survivor himself, continued his praise for Hoy on air with the BBC.

"I'm in awe of his courage and positivity in face of a death sentence, which is what his cancer diagnosis is. The whole nation will be cheering him on now as we have done in the past.

"He is not the only person in this country today dealing with a terminal diagnosis… what a wonderful message of hope he has sent."