So it has finally happened. Lance Armstrong's confession after many years of lies and deception has transformed what was one of the greatest stories in sporting history into a nightmare that not even Hollywood could've scripted.
It's a sad day really, not just for cycling but for sport in general. Lance Armstrong was not just a cycling hero - he was the shining light in an era plagued with drug cheats and unscrupulous competitors. He was a cancer-survivor who rose from his deathbed to conquer the Tour de France for seven consecutive years. He was a global icon whose achievements inspired millions of cancer patients throughout the world. Most of all, he was proof that dreams do come true, that man can overcome adversity and defeat the odds.
But now we know the truth.
The fairytale story is nothing more than a fantasy.
Lance Armstrong once said: 'To all the cynics, I'm sorry for you. I'm sorry you can't believe in miracles'.
After Armstrong's public confession, it may seem like the cynics were right all along. Maybe there are no miracles after all. Maybe heroes don't exist.
Three years ago, we witnessed the downfall of another sporting hero - Tiger Woods - whose personal life unravelled as his numerous infidelities were revealed.
But before you stop reading this post because it is making you lose faith in humanity - fear not!
Because I believe that sporting heroes do exist.
Right now, the Australian Open is being played and one of the contenders is arguably the greatest tennis player of all time - Roger Federer. Federer is a tennis legend but he is also a humanitarian with his Roger Federer Foundation helping disadvantaged kids around the world since 2003. He also organised the Hit for Haiti event on the eve of the 2010 Australian Open to raise funds for the earthquake victims in Haiti and the Rally for Relief to help the Queensland flood victims last year. He is a dad of two twin girls, a sportsman who speaks with humility and, perhaps rarest of all, just a genuine nice guy.
Federer is by no means a perfect human being; as a 15 year old he would frequently smash his racquet on court. This is a far cry from the man who went on to win a record 17 Grand Slams. But Federer was humble enough to acknowledge that he was not perfect and so he worked on his flaw until he developed the cool and calm temperament that we see today.
Roger Federer has an important role to play in the world of sport. Regardless of his results on the court (which are still great despite his age), or his tennis records (which he continues to break at every tournament), perhaps his most important mission is to remain the way he is - just a good person both on and off the court. By doing so, he will prove that athletes can be indeed be heroes.
(Okay, after giving such a glowing endorsement of Roger, I hope that the man lives up to my expectations. So don't let me down, Rog!)
Just as we love to glorify our athlete's achievements, we are just as quick to abandon them when they have committed an indiscretion. Judging from public sentiment, getting Lance Armstrong to confess isn't enough. For some reason, we need to humiliate him, to make him suffer, to erase him from history, perhaps even jail him for perjury.
Sure, Armstrong may've done something wrong, but then again -who hasn't? If any one of his critics has never committed a sin, has never cheated before and has never uttered a lie in their life, then maybe they have the right to point their fingers at Armstrong.
And while Armstrong may've lied about his drug use, I believe he is genuine in his passion for helping cancer patients through his Livestrong Foundation. His legacy may be tainted by his doping, bullying and lying, but to disregard his work for Livestrong is to forget half of the Lance Armstrong story.
What about a five year old kid who received life-saving treatment using research funds raised through Livestrong? That little kid doesn't care about Lance Armstrong's cycling achievements. To him, Lance Armstrong is a hero who played a part in saving his life.
Lance Armstrong, like all athletes, is human. They are like us - capable of great achievements, but also great sins. They live under the pressure of the eternal public spotlight that shines on every aspect of their lives. And because of this, every flaw and every mistake is magnified a hundred times.
But there are heroes in sport. The Fed isn't the only nice guy in sport. For every Floyd Landis and Marion Jones we have a Muhammad Ali, a Cathy Freeman and a Michael Johnson (who voluntarily returned his 2000 Olympics 4x400m Gold Medal after one of his teammates admitted to doping).
We must remember that the vast majority of athletes play fairly and according to the rules. They may not have won seven Tour de Frances, but they dedicate every day of their lives to the training field despite the unimaginable pressure and stress that comes with sport.
That, I think, is heroic enough.
'A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming odds' - Christopher Reeve
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