When Sir Chris Hoy revealed his cancer diagnosis earlier this year, most people, I think, believed he’d get through it.

Surely, a man who’s one of the greatest athletes Great Britain has ever produced, and who’s achieved quite incredible things in the sporting arena, would be able to overcome even this?

But, we found out this weekend, no, he won’t.

The 48-year-old has, his doctors have told him, between two and four years to live.

It’s always shocking to find out someone’s likely to die prematurely, even more so when it’s someone who we followed as he became one of the very best track cyclists in the world. It’s profoundly sad to think Hoy could die so soon, particularly given his young family.

The outpouring of love and support from both the sporting community and further afield following Hoy’s revelation about his terminal cancer has been heartwarming, but unsurprising.

Hoy is, without question, one of the most liked, and likable, men in sport.

For someone who’s achieved such success – six Olympic golds, and 11 world titles – there’s never been a hint of arrogance about him, despite the fact more than a little arrogance would be entirely justified.

Such humility is rare thing in elite sport; so often, athletes who become one of the best their sport has ever seen........

© Herald Scotland