Are there any heroes left in sport?

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 Extreme Challenges That You Should Try

Feel like stepping outside your comfort zone? Looking for a new challenge? Here are three things you can do if you want to push the boundaries of human endurance: 

1. Complete the Crazy Wings Challenge
Legend has it that the fabled chicken wings at Crazy Wings are so hot that one bite can leave you sweating like the Niagara Falls. I have heard horror stories about people taking Panadol to recuperate from the chili concussion that would result from contact with the infamous wings. Other symptoms include feelings of numbness, particularly in and around the tongue area, extreme agony in the throat that can last for several days, bouts of nausea and uncontrollable tears streaming down one's face.

There's a conveniently placed milk bar located next to Crazy Wings for the brave souls who dare take up the challenge. If you are crazy enough to try Crazy Wings, be sure that you're armed with plenty of icepacks and liquid beverages.

Why I Run

Jack Sparrow running from a tribe of cannibals in Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest

Some of my friends don’t understand why I like to go for a 20 min run several times a week. I guess I can see where they are coming from: when you run for a long time, your legs start to feel like jelly and your lungs scream for you to stop. When they ask me why I run, I always respond with 'I don’t know'. Although that’s not entirely true. I do know why I run. It’s just that there are so many reasons why that I don’t really know where to begin. But I will at least make an attempt: