Sir Chris Hoy

As the Commonwealth Games kicks off in Glasgow, we catch up with cycling legend Sir Chris Hoy – the six-time Olympic gold medallist, 11-time world champion, GT racing driver, children’s author and all-round high achiever – as he prepares to gear up for his annual Tour de 4 charity bike ride in September. Hoy set up Tour de 4 after his own cancer diagnosis, to raise funds and awareness to support people living with Stage 4 cancer. In the interview, he is typically upbeat, sharing his secret to staying positive, and how he finds strength by living in the moment. As he puts it: “It’s only when challenges are brought to you that you recognise actually, I can get through this. I’m tougher than I thought.” Read the full inspiring exclusive only in Big Issue.

Also inside

• The state of our social housing is a stain on the UK. It’s way past time for the state to step in
• After the devastating earthquakes in Venezuela, we have a report from the front lines of a national tragedy
• John Bird is delighted that Andy Burnham put rough sleeping at the top of his agenda on day one. Will it finally be eradicated?
• Ruth Madeley kissed a lot of frogs before realising the right one had been in front of her the whole time
• We embark on the Otley Run pub crawl in Leeds (minus the pints) to examine the shocking disparity in life expectancy from one end to the other
• New Children’s Laureate Patrice Lawrence tells us about the book that changed her life
• Garrett Millerick’s Edinburgh Fringe show pits him against his own AI replica. Who will be funniest?
• And London vendor Simon is always up with the lark to get to his pitch – a spot he describes as “a bit special”

And much more

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