Edinburgh Evening News person of the year: Chris Hoy

The UK’s greatest ever Olympian, a fantastic ambassador for Edinburgh and the best role model for youngsters you could imagine.

With two more gold medals at London 2012, including a dramatic finale to the keirin, Sir Chris Hoy now has six golds in all, over three Olympic Games.

While his lycra suit, aerodynamic helmet and shaved shins can all be replicated by his rivals, the key thing that Hoy has in his armoury when he takes to the track is his amazing focus and will to win.

He has brought the sport of cycling to national attention and encouraged a whole new generation to take it up.

The former George Watson’s College pupil, who used to ride his BMX around the streets of Murrayfield as a teenager, honed his skills at the Meadowbank Velodrome. He could never dream that one day he would have a velodrome named after him. This year has already seen him honoured with the freedom of Edinburgh to add to his knighthood and we are sure the accolades will not stop there for such a remarkable sportsman.

It may not make it on to the mantelpiece next to his gold medals, but we hope Sir Chris appreciates his latest honour today.