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Sir Chris Hoy has revealed a broken back caused by his terminal cancer left him unable to lift his young daughter.
The six-time Olympic cycling champion shared his stage 4 prostate cancer diagnosis late last year, including the devastating news that he had been given between two and four years left to live.
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Despite remaining admirably positive in the face of his prognosis, Hoy has now opened up on the heartbreaking impact of his illness.
Speaking to the Mid Point podcast, the Scot said that he suffered a spinal fracture due to secondary tumours spreading throughout his body.
This left Hoy unable to pick up his six-year-old daughter Chloe, with medics warning him not to do any lifting.
The 48-year-old revealed: “When I had scans, secondary tumours in my spine had actually burrowed into the bone so badly it had fractured.
“When they saw it they were like: ‘We’re going to have to be really careful here, you can’t pick up your kids, you can’t do anything’.
"Being told not to pick up your six-year-old daughter, that was like: ‘Right, this is really impacting my life’."
The Edinburgh-born athlete explained that doctors were ultimately able to fix his fractured vertebrae by injecting a 'cement'-like material into his back.
Hoy continued: “So I had injections.
"They drill into your vertebrae, squirt this cement material in and it sets, fuses and makes the vertebrae as good as new again.
“So I’m back to lifting weights again.”
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The British sporting great also spoke of his relief at overcoming the ordeal, and admitted it had given him a new perspective.
He explained: “As soon as you’re told this has been taken away, you suddenly appreciate everything, the basic things.
“It’s like losing your wallet, when you find it, you’re not in a net gain situation but you’re so grateful for it.
“The thought of not being able to pick up your child, the thought of that not being a possibility was horrendous. And then for now I’m doing OK.”
Hoy was first diagnosed with cancer in late 2023 after he sought treatment for a strain in his shoulder.
After undergoing scans, it was found the cycling great had a tumour in his shoulder and cancer in his prostate.
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This had metastasised to his bones as doctors found tumours shoulder, pelvis, hip, spine and ribs.
Since receiving his diagnosis, Hoy has made continued efforts to raise prostate cancer awareness.
Speaking to Sky Sports in December, the Olympics legend said: "For me, my purpose is spreading awareness about it, trying to get men to go and get checked.
"It's a very simple thing to deal with if you catch it early enough.
"I realise how far I've come now. There's no way I could have sat here talking to you six months ago. I would have been a gibbering wreck.
"The overall hope was that it would help people, not just people going through a cancer diagnosis. But that you can get through the most extreme situations and pop out the other end, whilst you still have hope and are able to live your life."
Sir Chris Hoy reveals ambition to outlive doctors' cancer diagnosis
Hoy established himself as a British sporting hero by winning three gold medals at the Beijing Olympics in 2008 when he claimed the team sprint, keirin and individual sprint.
He received a knighthood for his achievements in 2009, before claiming two more golds at the London 2012 Games.
Hoy retired from cycling in 2013 as Britain's most decorated Olympian, but has since been overtaken by Sir Jason Kenny.
