"Those who do not dream do not live."
The words not of Shakespeare or some other poet type bloke but of proud Coleraine mum Jenny Campbell after her son Alan came home fifth for Great Britain in this morning's final of the rowing men's single sculls.
If you haven't been following this story, 25-year-old Alan dedicated the last four years of his life to preparing for these Olympics and had a realistic shot at gold.
But, in a stroke (pardon the pun) of the cruelest luck eight weeks ago, developed a serious knee infection - sparked off by a simple tooth abscess - and was forced under the surgeon's knife.
He spent the next five weeks out of his boat and many thought he would never make it to the start line of the heats never mind become the first British single sculler since 1980 to make an Olympic final.
As Jenny (right) put it so well this morning, many of us did dare to dream as we woke up and turned on our televisions.
Unfortunately the race - Alan's fourth in eight days - proved just one too many given the training he'd missed.
But he did himself, his family and his wee town incredibly proud.
Roll on 2012.
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