Better to write for yourself and have no public, than to write for the public and have no self. - Cyril Connolly
Saturday, July 26, 2008
The Lopez Family High Kicks Olympic History
Why hasn't this story received more coverage? It's truly inspiring.
With wall to wall coverage of Michael Phelps and his attempt to win more medals than any other Olympian in history, there is another record breaking story to watch. The Lopez family is sending all FOUR of their children to the Olympics in Beijing. Something that hasn't happened in over 100 years. Oldest brother Jean is the US National Taekwondo Team Coach, and brothers Steve (a two time Olympic gold medalist already), Mark, and their youngest sister, Diana, round of the rest of the family of Olympians. Children of Nicaraguan immigrants, it's a dream come true.
Even more remarkable? In an effort to cut down on the "giganticism" of the Olympics, and because Taekwondo has only been an Olympic sport since 2000 (Steve Lopez holds all the gold medals ever awarded thus far), each country is limited to just four athletes: two men, and two women (17 yr. old Charlotte Craig rounds out the women's spots). The Lopez family IS the US Taekwondo Team. Therefor, competition at the national level is often even more intense than the international level.
AP Photo/Mark Williams, USOC
"I think about the impact we could possibly make, what a great thing it would be for our country and our family and our sport," Mark Lopez said. "It's a combat sport, but it teaches discipline and good character. As a family, we cherish those values."
That's pretty sweet that the family is the team. I wonder how they'll fair, though. Stereotypes aside, martial arts are a big deal in the East. In the past we've placed at the Olympics, but nowhere near as well as our Asian counterparts.
AP Photo/Mark Williams, USOC
That's pretty sweet that the family is the team. I wonder how they'll fair, though. Stereotypes aside, martial arts are a big deal in the East. In the past we've placed at the Olympics, but nowhere near as well as our Asian counterparts.