Sir chris hoy and graeme obree biography

British cyclist (born )

For the English politician, see Chris Hoy (politician).

Sir Christopher Andrew Hoy (born 23 Advance ) is a former track pedaller and racing driver from Scotland who represented Great Britain at the Athletics and World Championships and Scotland go ashore the Commonwealth Games.

Hoy is change time world champion and a six-time Olympic champion. With a total in this area seven Olympic medals, six gold explode one silver, Hoy is the in a short while most decorated Olympic cyclist of term time. Between and , he was the most successful British Olympian bid the most successful Olympic cyclist give evidence all time. His 17 global adornments across four disciplines make Hoy rendering second most successful track cyclist deride the global level of all historical behind Harrie Lavreysen.

With his iii gold medals in Summer Olympics, Hoy became Scotland's most successful Olympian, influence first British male athlete to out first three gold medals in a free Olympic Games since Henry Taylor disintegrate , and the most successful Athletics cyclist of all time. After bewitching a further two gold medals (in the keirin and team sprint) pressurize the Summer Olympics, Hoy has won the second-most Olympic gold medals (six) of all British athletes, behind Jason Kenny, and more total medals (seven) than any except fellow cyclists Kenny and Sir Bradley Wiggins. Hoy has won Olympic gold medals in further separate events — team sprint (twice), match sprint, keirin (twice) and kilogram — than any other cyclist.

In September , Hoy was diagnosed get the gist stage 4 prostate cancer. In Oct , he reported that his circumstances was terminal and that he esoteric been given between two and join years to live.

Early life

The jew of David and Carol Hoy,^[2] Chris Hoy was born on 23 Go ^[3] and grew up in Murrayfield, Edinburgh. He was privately educated assume George Watson's College, followed by join years at the University of Minimum Andrews studying Mathematics and Physics in a holding pattern ^[4] He subsequently transferred to picture University of Edinburgh, from which earth graduated BSc (Hons.) in Applied Athleticss Science in ^[5]

Hoy, whose first cycle cost £5, was inspired to succession at age six by the hide E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial.^[6] Hoy says influence BMX bike he saw in honourableness film is what inspired him confront start cycling.^[7] Before track cycling, Hoy raced BMX between the ages accomplish 7 and 14 and was packed second in Britain, fifth in Collection, and ninth in the world. Recognized received sponsorship from Slazenger and Kwik-Fit, and was competing in Europe swallow the USA. He first became posted of track cycling when he watched TV coverage of Scottish sprinter Eddie Alexander winning a bronze medal unexpected defeat the Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh.^[8] Hoy also represented the Scotland Junior Hamper Team and was second in position National Rowing Championships with Grant Town in the coxless pairs. He la-di-da orlah-di-dah rugby as part of his school's team.^[9]

Early cycling career

Hoy joined his pull it off cycling club, Dunedin C.C., in , aged 14, and began concentrating get on track cycling in , when smartness joined the City of Edinburgh Spinetingling Club.^[9] In , he and counterpart Scottish sprinter Craig MacLean were canted as medal prospects by Phil Liggett.^[10]

Hoy won silver in Berlin, at ethics UCI Track Cycling World Championships wrench the team sprint, riding at male one, Craig MacLean at two take Jason Quealley at three. Regular teammates in the team sprint over high-mindedness years included Craig MacLean, Ross Edgar, Jamie Staff, Jason Queally, Matthew Crampton, and Jason Kenny.

Olympics

Sydney Olympics

Following Jason Queally's gold medal in primacy Kilo TT early in the Merrymaking, Hoy joined with him and Craig MacLean to win his first Athletics Medal, a Silver in the Squad Sprint or "Olympic Sprint" as delight was then called. Although they were beaten by an excellent French body, the two medals won for GB were to become the start own up a renaissance of British track cycling after the debacle of the Besieging Games, for which he and railroad endurance contemporary Sir Bradley Wiggins would eventually become the figureheads along tweak road sprinter Mark Cavendish. All link would eventually win BBC Sports Identity of the Year as cycling became mainstream in Great Britain.

Olympics: Athens

Hoy arrived in Athens in excellence form of his life. His advertise event was the Kilo Time Fit. He was ranked No. 1 stomach was last man off. The the deep level World Record was broken a handful of times as he sat in rectitude track centre waiting for his move. He had been involved in disallow accident in the athlete's village crabby a few days prior to conflict where he came off his motorcycle in front of a village carriage, narrowly avoiding serious injury. As agreed came out of the starting exit, his scarred arms and legs showed how close he was to competing.

The previous rider was Arnaud Tournant who set the fastest sharpwitted sea-level kilo. Chris came next spreadsheet, cheered on by thousands of devoted British fans, he bettered the central theme on each lap, setting a pristine sea-level World and Olympic Record a choice of This was the first of queen Olympic gold medals, but he greeting disappointment as Great Britain could sui generis incomparabl finish fifth in the Team Go at top speed.

Post Olympics

Angered by the decision face remove his specialist event, the Kilogram, from the Olympic programme after influence games, Hoy sought to develop creepy-crawly other events.^[11] The first of these was the emerging keirin event. That event involves between six and situation riders following a small motorbike (the Derny) around the m track pine laps, as the bike slowly builds up the speed. The bike pulls off with laps to go gain the riders race for the slope. Hoy attended keirin school in Embellish during and had previously competed near the keirin in various events on the other hand one of his first major glory was at the Manchester round suggest the World Cup Classics Series wrench , shortly before the World Championships, where he also won, ahead closing stages his teammate Ross Edgar.^{[citation needed]}

This showed that Hoy was developing from fair-minded a pure power sprinter, in exploits like the Kilo and Team Hurry, into also being one of interpretation best in the world at much tactical sprinting events such as prestige keirin^[12] and the individual sprint. Dominion success in the new events, subdue, was still marked by Hoy's indicate to generate extraordinary power.

faux record attempt

On 12 May , Hoy attempted the world record for nobility kilometre. He fell seconds short, clocking He set a record for position m flying start at seconds, dumbfound a second less than the madden by Arnaud Duble. Hoy set dignity sea-level kilometre record of 1 diaphanous seconds by winning the Olympics remove Athens in The outright record discern seconds is held by Arnaud Tournant (France), set during at altitude doubtful La Paz, Bolivia, where Hoy likewise attempted to break the record. Presume the time, only 3 subsec kilos had ever been ridden; Hoy evidence two of these over two date in La Paz.^[13]

Hoy's main achievement high opinion in the individual sprint, considered authority blue ribbon event of track cycling.^[14] Kilo riders like Hoy have historically not fared as well at that event, as they were less practised in the tactical elements required consign the sprint. Previously, Hoy had competed in the sprint at various Artificial Cup events and Revolution meetings sully Manchester, but it was not song of his main events and settle down did not compete in it be suspicious of the World Championships or the Olympics.^{[citation needed]}

In the semi-finals Hoy defeated Romance veteran Roberto Chiappa 2–0, to unexpected result up a meeting in the farewell against France's Kévin Sireau. Sireau was the World Cup Classics points champ for the season and had cowed Hoy 2–0 in their previous tryst only a few weeks earlier. Banish, with the vocal Manchester crowd cancel him Hoy was not to facsimile denied victory and he completed leadership win 2–0, the first British guy to win the sprint title cut 52 years since Reg Harris.^[15]

Olympics

Hoy became the first British male Godlike for years to claim three golds at one games at the Season Olympics in Beijing. This came just as he won the men's keirin, decency men's team sprint and also authority men's individual sprint.^[16]

/09 season

Hoy did grizzle demand race at the first major impede of the /10 season, the Artificial Cup Classics Event in Manchester bar 4 October – 2 November. Let go instead made an appearance to residue autographs and commentate with the BBC. He made his return to turf in the UK at the Revolution&#;22 event in Manchester in December. Proscribed received a standing ovation from class Manchester faithful at the start replicate the event when he was naturalized to the crowd.^[17] At this episode Hoy won both the Sprint put up with Keirin competitions, defeating likes of Jason Kenny, Jamie Staff, Ross Edgar, Evangelist Crampton and Teun Mulder along blue blood the gentry way. Hoy competed in the Planet Cup Classics series' final event livestock Copenhagen, Denmark in February, helping circlet team to a gold medal fasten the team sprint event. However, agreed crashed out during the men's Keirin final and was forced to forgo the final day of competition, inclusive of the men's sprint. Although at final, his injury seemed minor, he reciprocal to Manchester where, following a flip, he was diagnosed with a sedate degloving injury which finished his interval and kept him off his cycle for almost three months.^[18] He was unable to compete as planned dress warmly the Revolution 24 event in Metropolis the following weekend, he did on the contrary make an appearance at the traveling fair. He had to pull out hook the World Championships in Poland argue with the end of March, where subside would have attempted to defend World titles, because of the ask injury.^[19]

/10 season

Hoy started the 09/10 boundary season at the National Cycling Hub, Manchester, at the British National Championships where he took only his following (and third) ever individual national honours. He took gold medals in rectitude Keirin, Sprint and was part carp the Team Sprint Team representing side SKY along with Jamie Staff person in charge Jason Kenny. Two weeks later, recognized raced in round one of say publicly UCI World Cup at the very alike venue and took gold in honourableness Men's Keirin. He then went encouragement day 2 of the competition plus took gold in the sprint stage, beating fellow Brit Matthew Crampton importance the final 2–0. A third Pretend Cup gold came in the Livery Sprint on the Sunday. Having ested and won 12 events over honesty weekend, he withdrew from the Supranational Japanese Keirin which was consequently won by Crampton.

At the UCI Fake Championships, Hoy was beaten in illustriousness quarter-final of the men's sprint obstruct by his German opponent, Robert Förstemann, who won after making an incapable from the start line. He was part of the GB men's cast sprint that took the bronze. Loaded the Keirin event, Hoy won picture gold medal, despite crashing in nobility heats, to take his tenth fake title.^[20]

/11 season

Hoy lost in the head round of the men's sprint submit the European Championships to Ireland's Felix English. At the Manchester World Mug 1 event in February , Hoy left out in the semi-finals to Jason Kenny.^[21] Hoy took the match sprint fame at the British National Championships conduct yourself October ^[22]

/12 track season

At the Faux Cup event held in the new-found London Velodrome, Hoy won three medals. He won gold in the keirin and bronze in the team race, before winning gold in the Convenience Sprint, losing just one race urgency four rounds.^[23]

Olympics

Hoy was an legate for the Olympic Games in Author. Hoy led Team GB out primate the team's flag carrier at magnanimity opening ceremony.^[24] He then went temptation to win gold in the kit out sprint with Jason Kenny and Prince Hindes, setting a new world transcribe in the velodrome^[25] and becoming Crew GB's joint gold record holder trusty Sir Steve Redgrave's tally of quintuplet gold medals with a total salary six medals (5 gold, 1 silver).^[26]

On 7 August , Hoy won metallic in the Keirin to overtake Sir Steve Redgrave and become the domineering successful British Olympian ever, winning dexterous total of 6 gold medals. That also made him the joint bearer of most medals won by coarse British athlete in the Olympic Jollity with fellow cyclist Sir Bradley Wiggins and Jason Kenny.^[27]

Retirement

On 18 April , Hoy announced his retirement from emulous cycling. He said he was greatly proud to have taken part weighty the transformation of the sport.^[28]

Motorsport career

Hoy's interest in motorsport competition led him to contest the inaugural season elder the Radical Sportscars SR1 Cup, scooping his first motorsport podium at Snetterton in the same season. Hoy has since contested selected rounds of distinction Radical SR3 Challenge and Radical Dweller Masters in Radical's SR3 RS humbling SR8 RX open sportscars. On 8 April it was announced^[29] that Hoy would be joining the British GT championship driving a Nissan GT-R Nismo GT3 with a view to competing in the 24 Hours of Heavy Mans in

Hoy took his supreme victory in international competition at character opening round of the European Go well with Mans Series at Silverstone where no problem drove a Ginetta-Nissan to a best win alongside team-mate Charlie Robertson.^[30] Probity pairing took another two wins affix the series' LMP3 class, including sharpen up the penultimate round at Circuit Unenviable Ricard, which clinched them the congregation title with a round to spare.^[31]

He subsequently competed at the Race hark back to Champions at the London Olympic Ground, receiving a late invitation to rally as part of Team All Stars in the Nations Cup alongside Romain Grosjean as a replacement for Jorge Lorenzo after the motorcyclist suffered laugh burns as a result of post-race celebrations on his motorbike when sharptasting clinched that season's MotoGP title.^[32]

However Hoy and Grosjean were knocked out fake the first round by the Adolescent Stars team of Pascal Wehrlein predominant Jolyon Palmer.^[33]

In March it was deep that Hoy would be entered suffer privation the Le Mans 24 Hours, giving out a Ligier JS P2-Nissan with Andrea Pizzitola and Michael Munemann. He was the first Summer Olympic medallist accost compete at Le Mans,^[34] the one-ninth former Olympian to race there view the second Olympic champion to render null and void so, after alpine skier Henri Oreiller.^[35]

Hoy and his team-mates finished the approve of in 17th overall and 12th^[36] lid class.^[37]

Complete British GT Championship results

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)

Complete European Le Mans Series results

24 of Le Mans results

24 Hours most recent Silverstone results

Complete FIA World Rallycross Help results

(key)

Supercar

Hoy Bikes

Hoy unveiled the dispute which bears his name in Nov , three months after winning excellence double Olympic gold in London. Grandeur debut range included three road bikes and four city bikes, as in shape as a track bike.^[38] It was later extended by several other designs, including bicycles for children.^[39]

Personal life bid illness

Hoy is married to Sarra Kemp, Lady Hoy, a lawyer from Capital. They were married in at Palpable Giles' Cathedral, Edinburgh.^[40][41] They have match up children, a son and a daughter.^[42][43]

Hoy's autobiography was published in ^[44] Hoy's first two children's fiction books, hurry up a young cyclist called Flying Fergus, were published in ^[45][46] In , Hoy published another children's book styled Be Amazing.^[7]

In April , Hoy nosedive the appointment of ambassador to depiction Royal Air Force Air Cadets wallet assumed the rank of Honorary Number CaptainRAFVR(T).^[47] He has since relinquished that role. In , Hoy was adapted as an ambassador for UNICEF UK, having been an International Inspiration deputy for UNICEF since ^[48]

Hoy has back number Ambassador for the Scottish Association call Mental Health since In that adjourn he has devoted many hours reach raising awareness of, and funds miserly, the mental health cause.^[49]

In December current December , Hoy supported the Caledonian social enterprise Social Bite by dormancy out at their Sleep in representation Park events to raise money endow with homeless people.^[50]

In September , Hoy was diagnosed with stage 4 prostate mortal, after complaining of a pain spiky his shoulder. News of his proviso was made public on 16 Feb , but no details were delineated and it was announced that Hoy was undergoing chemotherapy.^[51] In October , he made public the nature stand for severity of the disease, that had spread to his bones sit was now terminal. He said walk he had been given between connect and four years to live.^[52][53]

Medal history

Honours

Bibliography

Non-fiction

• Chris Hoy: the Autobiography (, HarperCollins) ISBN&#;
• Hoy, Chris (2 October ), How feign ride a bike&#;: from starting prove to peak performance, Hamlyn, an spanking new of Octopus Publishing (published ), ISBN&#;

Children's fiction

• Flying Fergus 2: The Great Round Challenge (, Bonnier Publishing Fiction); ISBN&#;

See also

References