JOHN Swinney has been among those to pay tribute to Scottish cycling legend Chris Hoy after he revealed his cancer diagnosis is terminal.
Speaking in an interview with The Sunday Times, Hoy said he had been given two to four years left to live.
A tumour was found in his shoulder and a second scan found primary cancer in his prostate, which has metastasised to his bones.
Tumours have also been found in his shoulder, pelvis, hip, spine and rib and he has been told it is incurable.
Writing on Twitter/X, the First Minister said: “I send every good wish to Sir Chris Hoy and his family.
“He has always inspired by us all that he has done. He is a person of incredible courage and that shines through today.”
Elsewhere, Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar commented: “This is incredibly sad news. Chris Hoy is a sporting legend who inspired a generation.
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“His bravery and character shine through in this interview. My thoughts are with him and his family.”
Hoy (below) won six Olympic gold medals in his career, with his first coming in Athens in 2004 before picking up a further four in Beijing in 2008 and two in London in 2012.
He also has one silver medal, which he won in Sydney in 2000.
Sir Mark Cavendish, who holds the record for the most stages won in the Tour de France, was also among those to send a message, describing Hoy as a “hero of a human being”.
Former Scotland striker Ally McCoist said: “You, my friend, are a superstar in every sense of the word,” while fellow Olympic champion Dame Kelly Holmes and Paralympian Dame Storey were among those to pay tribute.
Scottish Government minister Maree Todd also took to Twitter to share her thoughts, writing: “Sir Chris Hoy is one of the finest athletes Scotland has ever produced.
“Hugely successful himself but also inspired a generation of Scots to get on their bikes.
“Sending much love & strength to him & his family as they face all this tough news.”
Speaking on Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg, Health Secretary Wes Streeting said he was “in awe of that man’s courage and positivity in face of a death sentence”.
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