John Swinney 'very supportive' of Glasgow hosting 'Chris Hoy Games' in 2026

First Minister John Swinney has backed calls for the 2026 Commonwealth Games to be know as the ‘Chris Hoy Games’ in recognition of the Scottish six-time Olympic champion.

Glasgow has stepped in to host the 2026 games after Australia backed out. The confirmation was announced just days before Sir Chris, who won two Commonwealth gold medals, confirmed he had been diagnosed with terminal cancer.

Chris Hoy | Getty Images

Mr Swinney said his “heart goes out” to Sir Chris and his family following his confirmation the Olympic champion’s cancer had spread.

The champion cyclist revealed recently that he had been given a diagnosis last year that he had two to four years left to live.

READ MORE: Sir Chris Hoy announces that his cancer is terminal

Mr Swinney said: “I would be very supportive of the Games being referred to as the Chris Hoy Games. I feel totally vexed for Chris Hoy and for his family.

“The situation they face is being borne with the exceptional courage all of us have come to appreciate and value from Chris Hoy and I couldn’t admire him more for how he has handled and communicated the news.”

Sir Chris retired from competitive cycling in 2013, missing out on competing in the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow the following year.

With a scaled back Games now returning to the city in 2026, cyclists will compete in the velodrome named after the Scottish cyclist.

Speaking at a press event following confirmation that Glasgow would host the 2026 Commonwealth Games, Mr Swinney spoke about how his wife Elizabeth has multiple sclerosis (MS), the same condition Sir Chris’s wife Sarra has been diagnosed with.

John Swinney, with his wife Elizabeth Quigley. Photo: Andrew Milligan/PA Wire

Mr Swinney said: “Obviously I am very conscious his family have also had to come to terms with the diagnosis that his wife has MS, which is obviously a situation with which I have great familiarity. So my heart goes out to them.”

Scottish Secretary Ian Murray also suggested Sir Chris should be recognised “given that he’s such a decorated Olympian and sports person”, but he said making the event the ‘Chris Hoy Games’ was “a question for the organising committee”.

He said: “I’m sure there will be, quite rightly, a fitting tribute to Sir Chris Hoy at not just the Commonwealth Games, but other sporting events held around Glasgow and Scotland.”

Jon Doig, the chief executive Commonwealth Games Scotland, said: “We’ll obviously have discussions with Chris about what is appropriate at this time. It’s obvious it’s a very private moment. We will take that forward in due course.

“Chris was a key part of our games in 2014. We’ll engage with Chris in the manner he would actually want.”