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.
