How do we love Lance Armstrong and his failures of conscience?

The internet is abuzz with Oprah Winfrey's interview with Lance Armstrong in which he finally admits to doping.

How do we judge Armstrong's obvious misdeeds (lying and cheating) from a loving standpoint?

Instead of condemning the man and his actions as repugnant and unredeemable, let's use this as a teachable moment. Why is our society obsessed with medals, and being the best? Why do we push our athletes past what is humanly possible? Why do we look to athletes as our public heroes at all?