The 37-year-old six-time Olympic cycling champion had talked up the possibility of making a farewell appearance by competing at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome at Glasgow 2014 for Team Scotland in front of a home crowd, tut having deliberated over his future after winning two gold medals at London 2012, it appears he will now call time on his professional career.

He is set to make the decision public in an announcement at Murrayfield Stadium in his native Edinburgh on Thursday (April 18).

The news would mark the end of a glittering career for Sir Chris, who became Britain's most successful Olympian in history by taking his overall medal tally to six gold medals and a silver at London 2012 to surpass rower Sir Steve Redgrave, who won five golds.

Sir Chris took time off from competing after London 2012 with the intention of returning to the track but despite having the motivation to compete at Glasgow 2014 it appears his body has given out on him.

"There's no chance I don't want to do it [Glasgow 2014]," he said during the 2012 Track World Cup event at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome last November.

"The motivation is there and the desire is there.

"It's literally down to whether I can do it or not.

"I wouldn't just want to get on the team to get the tracksuit, turn up and wave to the crowd.

"I want to go there to win.

"If I believe I can do that and I'm able to do that then I will be there."

Sir Chris claimed his first Olympic gold medal when he won the one kilometre race at Athens 2004.

Successes in the team sprint, keirin and sprint at the Beijing 2008 four years later gave him three more gold medals.

Following his triumph at those Games in China he was named BBC Sports Personality of the Year and knighted in the Queen's New Year Honours list.

He then took his tally to a six Olympic gold medals by winning the team sprint and keirin at London 2012.

Sir Chris is already preparing for life beyond competitive cycling having announced late last year that he would be releasing a brand of bicycles bearing his name.

He will also continue to play a major role in promoting Glasgow 2014 having been unveiled as the first official ambassador for the Commonwealth Games last September.

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