The impending doom of the One Piece world sinking has become a real threat to the people ever since Vegapunk announced it. No one knows how or when it is going to happen, but the one thing that Vegapunk was sure about is that no one will be able to stop it. Ever since then, […]
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Whether it’s the comfort you seek in fictional worlds or something profound to question the state of things, any Studio Ghibli classic will satiate your desire for both. The way in which Hayao Miyazaki balances realism and romanticism in his works has resonated with many fans. In recent times, news about the worsening state of […]
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MIAMI DOLPHINS star Tua Tagovailoa could be set for a massive comeback next week after suffering a devastating concussion.
Tagovailoa, 26, sustained the head injury on September 12 during a loss to the Buffalo Bills.
The quarterback picked up his third concussion of his four-year NFL career when he clashed with Bills’ safety Damar Hamlin on a scramble.
Many fans and analysts insisted the American star should retire, mainly because of his body stance during the collision with Hamlin as he went to the fencing position.
And many within the NFL even thought the Hawaii native was done for the year.
However, Tagovailoa could prove the doubters wrong by returning on Week 8.
According to The Athletic, the Dolphins star is set to return to practice this coming week.
Tagovailoa is obviously unavailable for selection ahead of Sunday’s clash with the Indianapolis Colts at the Lucas Oil Stadium.
But there is hope he will start next Sunday on October 27 against the Arizona Cardinals in front of the Miami fans at the Hard Rock Stadium.
The report comes just days after Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel insisted that Tagovailoa could still return this season.
During the QB’s absence, McDaniel turned to Skylar Thomspon and Tyler Huntley.
The Dolphins have won one and lost two with Thompson and Huntley in the fold.
But they are now in a great position to improve that record against the Colts.
A HANDFUL of top telly shows – including an X Factor-style series – are “hanging in the balance” amid Liam Payne’s tragic death.
The One Direction star passed away aged 31 after falling to his death from a third floor balcony at a hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
The Sun exclusively revealed Liam’s pals planned to stage an intervention prior to his premature passing.
Yet the Little Things hitmaker was in the midst of a series of exciting telly projects with a host of famous faces before he died.
Question marks have now been raised about their future and if they will make it to air, The Sun can exclusively reveal.
Liam had signed up to appear as a judge on Netflix series Building The Band and was seen in Manchester in August where they were filming auditions in the Aviva Studios.
The series set out to find a new boyband and was very similar to the X Factor, with a team of experts.
It was expected to drop on Netflix next year yet this seems unlikely to air in the wake of this week’s tragedy.
The streaming giant has yet to make a statement.
TV bosses also face another dilemma with the upcoming release of a major documentary series, Boybands Forever, which is co-produced by Louis Theroux.
It looks at the joy and pain of being in boybands like One Direction and Take That, and features Simon Cowell talking about his memories of creating 1D and his thoughts on the Nineties and Noughties phenomenon.
A publicity drive for the three-parter is set to start within days and the BBC Two programme is expected to air next month, but the BBC may decide to push the air date back in light of Liam’s death.
It’s set to make for very uncomfortable viewing as it features multiple stars who’ve been in boybands and found themselves struggling with being in the spotlight – and then stepping out of it.
Launching the show Louis said: “It involves some of the icons of modern British pop – and we see them through their highs and lows.”
He added: “It’s how they came together, the experience of sudden fame, the opportunity and temptations that came their way, conflicts within the groups, between the groups, and between the boys and their managers.
“It’s a gripping fable about getting everything you dreamed of, and it not being what you imagined, centred on a generation of young men, and their managers, who were wildly successful and also immensely vulnerable, having the times of their lives and also in some cases cracking up.”
SHOCKED fans, former co-workers, loved ones and friends flooded social media with sad tributes to Liam Payne after news of his death emerged.
Harry Styles’ mum Anne was among the first from One Direction’s camp to share her reaction, posting a photo of Liam and writing ‘Just a boy…’ alongside a broken heart emoji.
Britain’s Got Talent judge Amanda Holden shared an image of the pair together with the words: “Such an awful tragedy.
“Sending love to his family and all those who loved him.”
X Factor star Olly Murs told fans he was “devastated” and “lost for words”.
He wrote on social media: “Liam shared the same passions as me, the same dreams so to see his life now end so young hits hard, I’m truly gutted and devastated for his Family and of course his son Bear losing a dad x”.
Liam Gallagher said he was “very sad” and told his followers on X: “Life is precious Kids, you only get to do it once, go easy.”
Former X Factor presenter Dermot O’Leary has also expressed his shock and spoke on This Morning.
He said: “I remember him as a 14 year old turning up to audition on The X Factor, and blowing us away singing Sinatra. He just loved to sing.
“He was always a joy, had time for everyone, polite, grateful, and was always humble.”
BBC Radio 2 presenter Zoe Ball reacted to the “devastating news” on her show and told fans she hugged her own son Woody tight this morning.
JLS band member Marvin Humes reflected on his memories with the singer, sharing: “I first met Liam in 2008 with the JLS boys whilst auditioning for X Factor..he was 14 years old..
“We instantly clicked and looked at him as a little brother..that year it worked out for us but not for him and then 2 years later he went back to audition and One Direction was born..the rest is history..
“Absolutely heartbroken by the tragic news..Liam you wanted to be a global superstar and you did it bro..just can’t believe that things have ended this way..it’s shocking..my thoughts and prayers are with all your family and friends brother..RIP.”
Niall Horan’s brother Greg shared an emotional tribute to Liam, praising him as a “top young man”.
He added: “You will be forever missed. Liam, words can’t describe how much I want to grab my brother and mind him now while the world shows their memories of you and him and the boys.
“My heart goes out to your family parents and sisters and your son Bear and your 1D brothers.
“10th October we met and we started out that evening as 5 families into one big one 1D family thank you for all the laughs bro watch down on all your family and mind them lots of love kiddo x x x 1D 4 LIFE x x x”
German DJ Anton Zaslavski, otherwise known as Zedd, has taken to X with a devastated statement.
The producer, who worked with Liam on his 2017 hit Get Low, wrote: “RIP Liam… I can’t believe this is real…absolutely heartbreaking…”
American singer, Charlie Puth, who was friends with Liam and also collaborated with him on a song called Bedroom Floor, has posted a series of Instagram stories dedicated to him.
Alongside photos of the two of them together in their younger days, Charlie wrote: “I am in shock right now. Liam was always so kind to me.
“He was one of the first major artists I got to work with. I can not believe he is gone…
“I am so upset right now, may he rest in peace. I am so sorry…”
Irish singer duo Jedward also took to social media, saying: “RIP Liam Payne. Condolences to friends and family.”
In another tweet, they added: “Sending strength to Cheryl and his son Bear. And all the One direction Family. RIP Liam Payne.”
American media personality Paris Hilton shared: “So upsetting to hear the news of Liam Payne passing. Sending love and condolences to his family & loved ones. RIP my friend.”
ITV weather presenter Alex Beresford shared a news video about Liam’s tragic death on Instagram, adding: “Can’t believe this! RIP Liam.”
Meanwhile Love Island star Molly Marsh penned: “I’m so taken aback, rest in peace.”
James Cordon also paid his own tribute, describing the star as a “loving and kind soul”.
The Gavin and Stacey actor wrote on Instagram: “Talking about Liam in the past tense is utterly heart-breaking.
“I will treasure the moments I got to spend with him. My thoughts are with his family today x.”
Payne previously appeared on Cordon’s The Late Late Show in America.
Former Little Mix star Jade Thirwall – who won X Factor with her bandmates one year after One Direction took part – described him as “the first friend I made in this industry”.
She said: “We fell out of touch as the years went by, but back in 2008 he was the first friend I made in this industry.
“Both of us so young, so ambitious, both hoping we’d ‘make it’. I hope you are at peace now”.
Camila Cabello described his death as a “tragedy” and said he “made an impression” on her when she was a young girl.
It was also understood that last year Liam and his team were in talks to make a behind the scenes documentary about his life after One Direction, but the project never materialised.
It is believed to have been inspired by his former bandmate Louis, after Liam attended the premiere of his film All Of Those Voices.
This week, The Sun revealed how Simon had stepped down from BGT in the wake of the tragedy.
Former Strictly star Bruno Tonioli will stand in.
Filming for the ITV1 show was halted in the wake of Liam‘s tragic death.
A source said: “This news has hit Simon incredibly hard – he is utterly shocked and devastated.
“He adored Liam, and was close to his family with whom he is sure to reach out privately. He didn’t feel it was right to continue with filming BGT, and when it resumes on Saturday, does not feel he’ll be in the right head space to continue.
“All the judges and production crew are being hugely supportive.”
Simon released his own heart-wrenching tribute to Liam in which he said “every tear shed is a memory of you.”
Liam’s family has released an emotional statement on his premature passing.
It read: “We are heartbroken. Liam will forever live in our hearts and we’ll remember him for his kind, funny and brave soul.
“We are supporting each other the best we can as a family and ask for privacy and space during this awful time.”
This was followed by an emotional tribute from his sister Ruth Gibbins, who posted a series of images and an open letter to Liam where she said “I’m sorry I couldn’t save you.”
Liam was in Buenos Aires for pal Niall Horan’s tour when he tragically plunged from the third floor on Wednesday afternoon.
A source confirmed to The Sun that Liam has died.
Liam shared a post on Snapchat only minutes before his death and showed him and his girlfriend Kate Cassidy looking into a mirror.
The singer-songwriter was staying at Hotel CasaSur in the neighbourhood of Palermo.
Crowds of heartbroken fans have gathered behind a cordon outside the accommodation to pay tribute to the star.
The star’s cause of death has since been revealed as well as Liam’s tragic final hours.
VLADIMIR Putin is using “zombie” camps to brainwash Ukrainian kids in a chilling three-stage plan to replenish his Russian army, a top MP has revealed.
Speaking exclusively to The Sun, Dmytro Lubinets, Ukraine’s Human Rights Commissioner, said the Russian tyrant is responsible for the “genocide” of Ukrainian children being forcibly deported across the border.
He described the Kremlin’s disturbing three-stage plan to rid the youngsters of their Ukrainian heritage and brainwash them into becoming Russian citizens.
The plan involves placing children in sinister camps where they speak Russian and sing the national anthem before having their official documents altered and being placed in Russian families.
Often the children are told that their loved ones have abandoned them and that they are now part of the Russian Federation.
But Dmytro revealed that children who refuse to accept their Russian captor’s demands are then being tortured in special rooms within the “re-education” camps.
The snatched youngsters are also forced to take part in the Kremlin’s youth military organisations and train with weapons – part of Putin’s scheme to create a new generation of fighters for his dwindling army, the MP warned.
Ukraine says the young hostages are forced to spend days in windowless torture chambers, without food and water, until they surrender and accept that they are now Russian citizens.
Traumatised Ukrainian kids who have been able to make it back home spoke of the horrific conditions while being held at the camps.
They say they were taken to isolation cells, beaten, and forced to watch as their captors burned the Ukraine flag in front of them and sang the patriotic song “Onward, Russia”.
In another harrowing account, Illia, 11, from war-torn Mariupol revealed how he saw his mother killed in a missile strike in which he was also injured by shrapnel.
When he was later kidnapped by Russian troops, the shrapnel was removed without anaesthetic and he was told to write in Russian and repeat, “Glory to Ukraine as part of Russia”.
The Sun previously reported that the “zombification” camps were being used to indoctrinate children as part of Putin’s propaganda machine nearly three years after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022.
An arrest warrant was issued in March 2023 by the International Criminal Court for Putin and his Child’s Rights Commissioner Maria Lvova-Belova for the abduction of Ukrainian children.
Dmytro told The Sun: “Sometimes after children return, they tell us about torture, even a special place for children who don’t want to use the Russian language.
“Russians even created special camps for these Ukrainian children…they told us it was a special room torture chamber for children.
“If you don’t want to sing the anthem, the Russians hold you in this room without light, without food, without water, for one day even more.
“Next day, they ask, ‘Do you change your mind or not? Are you ready to sing the Russian anthem or not? If not, okay you can stay longer’.”
Dmytro is part of the Bring Kids Back initiative – a strategic plan set up by Zelensky to bring back Ukraine’s missing children.
He says the first child to be forcibly deported from Ukraine was back in 2014 when Putin illegally annexed Crimea.
There have been over 19,000 reports of deported children with 555 feared dead and 1,429 left injured, according to the initiative
But Dmytro says the real numbers could be much higher.
He added: “The territory that’s now under occupation [was home to] 1.5 million children.
“All of them are now under threat of being deported by the Russians.
“When we use number 19,546 for the number of children deported or forcibly transferred by the Russian side.
“It means we have found information about these children without any support from the Russian side and without support from international or direct partners.
“Potentially no one knows how many Ukraine children have been deported by Russia – no one.”
The Human Rights Commissioner says the Russian leader’s chilling three-stage plan involves firstly sending children to “re-education” camps so they can be brainwashed.
Here, they are told to speak and write in Russian, sing the national anthem and forget their Ukrainian families.
They will also be signed up to Russia’s military youth movements where they will be made to wear uniforms and train with guns and drones.
These sinister military camps, set up at Putin’s command, are providing young children from occupied Ukraine with brutal military training.
Shocking pictures show young teens assembling Kalashnikov assault rifles and controlling drones at one such military camp, while others can be seen shooting at a firing range.
One child is seen being trained on how to clear a minefield, sparking fears that such intense military training would see these youngsters join the Russian army and be sent off to the frontline.
“…no one knows how many Ukraine children have been deported by Russia – no one.”
Dmytro Lubinets
So far, around 70,000 Russian soldiers have been slaughtered on the battlefield as the Kremlin looks to replenish its depleting numbers.
Dmytro said: “The main idea for Russians to deport Ukraine children is to change their identity.
“Second is to grow a new generation of the Russian army.
“And then in future to use these children to continue aggression against Ukraine or even more aggression against another European country.
“Children must spend a period in special camps. The children have to be in the camps for two weeks, sometimes it is two months.”
One Ukrainian youngster, Vitaliy, held at a camp in Yevpatroia spoke of horrors he saw there after he begged to be released from an isolation cell after four days.
He says any child who dared speak “Glory to Ukraine” would be locked in the basement and others were beaten by their captors.
They told him to “forget” speaking Ukrainian as there would be “no such language” and that his parents no longer needed him.
The second stage involves changing the child’s Ukrainian documents and giving them a new identity that will see them lost forever.
Dmytro added: “If the child has Ukraine documents, for example a birth certificate or passport, the Russians take away these documents and give Russian documents to the child.
“We see that often the Russians change the information, change the names and date of birth, place of birth.”
He explains that Russian officials will often change the Ukrainian spelling of a child’s name to the Russian spelling to make it more difficult to track that child down.
Finally, the snatched child is placed in Russian families where they continue to be brainwashed and eventually forget their Ukrainian heritage entirely.
Dmytro says there is a reason that so many Russian households are willing to accept Ukrainian children into their homes – a monthly bonus.
He said: “The reason Russian families adopt Ukrainian children is for money.
“For every Ukrainian child from the state budget of Russia, the families every month earn a special bonus.
“That’s why a lot of Russian families adopt Ukraine children. In Russian families, they continue to press the child to change their identity.
“At this stage of deportation, the child must go to Russian schools every day.”
ILLIA, 11, was deported from Mariupol after a Russian missile strike killed his mother and left him with horror shrapnel wounds when he was nine.
His neighbours buried his mum’s body in their back garden before he was snatched by Vlad’s soldiers and taken for surgery at a camp in Donestk.
The shrapnel was removed without any anaesthetic and forced to write and speak Russian and repeat “Glory to Ukraine as part of Russia”.
He says Russian forces tried to turn him into a “propaganda tool” but that he is not “one to be duped so easily.”
Illia’s grandmother had been searching for her grandson ever since losing contact with her daughter in March 2022.
It wasn’t until they spotted the young boy in a video from Russia that she realised he was alone and that her daughter had been killed.
His grandmother never gave up hope and set about getting her injured grandson back home where he belonged.
Months later, Illia returned home to Ukraine and had further surgery to remove more fragments from his leg while 11 remain.
His grandmother Olena said: “He had a school, he had a home, he had a mother and he lost all of that – his entire childhood.
“He kept to himself, he was afraid of noise, he was afraid of sirens. He had no memory.
He now has dreams of becoming a doctor so that he can help fighters on the frontline as a combat medic.
He explains that for younger children being placed in native Russian families, the transition can be a lot quicker even with children who may be five, six or even 10 years old.
He said: “The child has no choice.
“The child cannot say whether they are happy or not. The child is under pressure in the system. This is the main problem.
“With teenagers, it’s hardest for Russia. This category is a little bit easier for me to return.”
Dmytro said Putin was “100 per cent” involved in the cruel “zombie” camps.
He says it is not possible that Vlad would be unaware of any of the chilling deportation procedures currently taking place.
He added: “Even more, I think he confirmed this deportation plan, for changing of identity, for preparing all these ages for deportation.
“I think that he is the main person who is responsible for this procedure and officially, we have all the details to recognise it [Russia’s actions] as a war crime, as genocide.
“Genocide has five elements, one of them is forcibly transferring children from one ethnic group to another. We see exactly what Russia did this and continues to do.
“Russians did this war crime.”
SIR Chris Hoy has been seen for the first time since revealing he has terminal cancer.
The six-time Olympic gold medal winner – who announced yesterday he has up to four years to live – is working as a BBC pundit this afternoon.
Sir Chris, 48, kept his terminal diagnosis a secret for a year and has continued his media duties, including covering the Paris Olympics over the summer.
Today he is covering the World Track Cycling Championships for the Beeb in Copenhagen – though has not made mention of his health battle during the programme.
Presenter Jill Douglas began the BBC Two coverage of what is the final day of the competition alongside Sir Chris, asking him: “How you doing, Chris?”
He answered: “I’m doing well, thanks. I’m having a great week, some incredible performances and hopefully some more to come.”
He went on to say: “It’s always great to be back in the track centre, so many familiar faces, teammates, coaches, rivals and happy memories for me coming back to Copenhagen from 2002 and 2010.”
Later, he was seen interviewing Harrie Lavreysen after he won the Men’s Sprint.
Earlier today, Sir Chris posted a photo alongside some of the broadcasting team from the Ballerup Super Arena and said it’s “great to be out”.
He told fans: “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, and overwhelmed by all the love and support shown to my family and me.”
Sir Chris had announced in February he was being “treated for cancer” and claimed it was going well – though knew in reality it was just “management”.
The star had gone to the doctor in late September last year after feeling a strain in his shoulder.
A tumour was found, before a second scan discovered the primary cancer in his prostate.
It had metastasised to Sir Chris’s bones – including his shoulder, pelvis, ribs, and spine.
Speaking of the appointment in which he found out about the tumour, he told the Sunday Times he thought “I’m just getting a bit old for lifting heavy weights”.
Referred by his physiotherapist for a scan, he went to hospital alone, expecting to be told to lay off upper-body work in the gym for a few weeks.
“I’m really sorry,” the doctor told him. The nurse’s eyes filled with tears. “There’s a tumour in your shoulder.”
Heartbreakingly, Sir Chris’ wife Sarra was told she had incurable and degenerative MS just weeks before his cancer news – with the couple opting not to tell the kids about their mother’s illness.
But they decided to be honest about their dad’s diagnosis.
Sir Chris began chemo in November last year and recalled how 10-year-old son Callum kept asking if he’d lose his hair.
As a result, he wore a cold cap – which feels “like your head being in a vice” – during all six rounds over 18 weeks.
He said that it was the worst pain he’s ever experienced, adding while grinning sheepishly: “And I’ve got a very high pain threshold.”
Sir Chris and Sarra told their children about the cancer during dinner one night, to which Callum asked: “Are you going to die?”
The former Olympian explained the medication would hopefully mean he would “be here for many, many years”.
The sportsman suffered a violent allergic reaction in gruelling chemo sessions – but only missed five days of training on a bike.
By Jonathan Rose
SIR Chris Hoy began cycling at the age of six after he was inspired by the 1982 film ET.
Before he moved on to track cycling, he rode a BMX bike until the age of 15.
Sir Chris was ranked second in Britain, fifth in Europe and ninth in the World.
His dad picked up a £5 bike from a jumble sale – four years later Sir Chris was competing in the semi-final of a BMX world championship race.
“I was six when I saw ET,” he told The Guardian in 2020. “It changed my life. I wasn’t interested in cycling at all before.”
“The bikes I’d seen in Edinburgh just seemed functional things for getting from A to B,” continued Hoy, who grew up in Murrayfield.
“Then I saw those BMX bikes on screen and I was hooked. It wasn’t the scene where they cycle across the sky, but when they get chased by the police and they’re doing jumps and skidding round corners.
“It was the most exciting thing I’d ever seen. I wanted to do that.”
Four years later he became part of the British national squad.
A world championship medal came in 1999 with silver in the team sprint.
Sir Chris went on to become the second most decorated Olympic cyclist of all time.
The Prime Minister has said “the whole country” is behind Sir Chris following his terminal cancer diagnosis.
Sir Keir Starmer tweeted on Sunday: “Such sad news.
“Chris is a British sporting legend. To face his diagnosis with such positivity is inspiring.
“The whole country is behind him and his family.”
Sir Mark Cavendish, who holds the record for most stages won in the Tour de France, hailed Sir Chris as a “hero of a human being”.
Amy Joy Williams, MBE, the British former skeleton racer and Olympic gold medallist, added: “A pure superhuman who everyone loves. x”
And, Paddy McGuinness shared: “Some man”, as Dame Kelly Holmes wrote: “Sending love to you Chris.” While comedian Jack Whitehall penned: “Sending you all the love mate.”
All That Matters: My Toughest Race Yet by Sir Chris Hoy is published on November 7.
Symptoms of prostate cancer can include:
Source: NHS
ANDY Reid’s salary at the Kansas City Chiefs has apparently been revealed.
And, unsurprisingly, the 66-year-old is the highest-paid head coach in the league.
Head coach annual salaries were published this week by Sportico.
And their research showed Reid was top of the list having led Kansas City to three Super Bowl titles.
Chiefs CEO Clark Hunt this summer announced that the team wanted to make Reid the highest paid coach.
And the extension he signed in April which takes him up to 2029 seems to have achieved that.
“Whatever they paid him, it still isn’t enough,” one fan said at the time.
“You joking, how much is his contract,” another wondered.
While a third said, “Big fella deserves it.
“One of the best coaches of all time, much deserved.”
Reid takes home an annual salary of $20 million, according to Sportico.
Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton comes in second place on $18 million a year.
While Mike Tomlin and Jim Harbaugh both earn $16 million a season from the Pittsburgh Steelers and Los Angeles Chargers respectively.
Sean McVay rounds out the top five with his $15 million annual Los Angeles Rams salary.
The San Francisco 49ers pay Kyle Shanahan $14 million per season.
And John Harbaugh takes home $12 million a year from the Baltimore Ravens.
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell and Buffalo Bills leader Sean McDermott came tied in eighth place.
1. Andy Reid - Chiefs - $20 million
2. Sean Payton – Broncos – $18 million
=3. Mike Tomlin – Steelers – $16 million
=3. Jim Harbaugh – Chargers – $16 million
5. Sean McVay – Rams – $15 million
6. Kyle Shanahan – 49ers – $14 million
7. John Harbaugh – Ravens – $12 million
=8. Dan Campbell – Lions – $11 million
=8. Sean McDermott – Bills – $11 million
10. Mike MacDonald – Seahawks – $10 million
Both have earnings of $11 million a year from their respective organizations.
Seattle Seahawks coach Mike McDonald rounds out the top 10 on $10 million a year.
Reid can make history this year if he leads the Kansas City Chiefs to another Super Bowl win.
No team has ever won three titles in a row, a feat the organization has its eyes on.
The 66-year-old was also named AP coach of the year in 2002 when he was in charge of the Philadelphia Eagles.
SIR CHRIS HOY has created an Olympic legacy that would be the envy of any athlete in a glittering career.
Sir Chris revealed on Saturday that he has been given just four years to live in a terminal cancer diagnosis.
The 48-year-old has become one of Britain’s most-loved Olympians and did it all with wife Sarra by his side.
And unbelievably, the six-time Olympic gold medallist did it all off the back of being inspired by Steven Spielberg movie E.T.
Sir Chris was just six years old when that 1982 movie changed the trajectory of his life forever.
“I was six when I saw ET,” he told The Guardian in 2020. “It changed my life. I wasn’t interested in cycling at all before. The bikes I’d seen in Edinburgh just seemed functional things for getting from A to B.
“Then I saw those BMX bikes on screen and I was hooked. It wasn’t the scene where they cycle across the sky, but when they get chased by the police and they’re doing jumps and skidding round corners.
“It was the most exciting thing I’d ever seen. I wanted to do that.”
His dad picked him up a £5 bike from a jumble sale as a result of his new found passion – four years later Sir Chris was competing in the semi-final of a BMX World Championship race.
The star finally turned his attention away from BMXing and onto the tracks in 1992, focusing solely on cycling after spending time much of upbringing rowing and playing rugby.
Sir Chris’ decision to focus on cycling paid off as after just four years of track cycling with the Dunedin club and The City of Edinburgh Racing Squad, the Scot had secured a spot in the British national squad.
In his third year with the team he enjoyed his first taste of success.
Alongside team-mates Craig MacLean and Jason Queally, Sir Chris won silver in the 1999 UCI Track Cycling World Championships.
The medals started rolling in from there as he found success in the Commonwealth Games and World Championships in 2002.
Throughout his incredible career Sir Chris has won 11 World Championship gold medals and two Commonwealth golds.
He also picked up a combined 16 silver and bronze medals across the two events.
Sir Chris has long attributed his success to his wife Sarra, who has been with for some 14 years.
Speaking at London 2012, he said: “Sarra has been the one that has really got me through it all.”
Heartbreakingly, Sarra has been diagnosed with an “aggressive” form of MS herself.
Sir Chris made his first Olympic appearance in 2000 at the Sydney Games.
He won his first medal Down Under, taking home silver in the team sprint.
But it was the 2004 Games in Athens where Hoy really made his mark on the Olympics.
A gold medal in the 1km time trial earned him his first win on the Olympic stage.
Sir Chris previously recalled: “The moment that meant most, and which I remember most vividly, was when I was waiting to step on to the top step of the podium and I heard my name followed by ‘Olympic champion’.”
The 2008 Olympics in Beijing saw Sir Chris win THREE gold medals – securing first place in the sprint, team sprint and keirin.
Most fans will remember Sir Chris for his efforts in a home Olympics as he lit the London velodrome alight.
After his incredible efforts in Beijing, Hoy was chosen as Team GB’s flagbearer – leading out the team in front of 80,000 fans.
His efforts in London didn’t disappoint either, winning another two gold medals to add to his jam-packed mantlepiece.
Those medals made him Team GB’s all-time leading gold medal winner.
He has since been dethroned of that title by team-mate, friend and one of his “toughest opponents”, Jason Kenny.
However, Sir Chris will always be thought of as one of the faces of the London Games.
