Library's review
The true story of how 'The first family of taekwondo' made Olympic history.
'If there was an Olympics in family togetherness, the Lopezes might also win the gold.'-People
As the family who made history inthe 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China, with three siblings on the same U.S. Olympic team in
In 1972, Julio Lopez and his wife, Ondina, emigrated from Nicaragua to New York, before settling in Sugar Land, Texas, hoping for a sweeter life for their family, and a piece of the American dream. Julio enrolled his oldest boy, Jean, in taekwondo classes to teach him self-confidence, respect and discipine. By age twelve, Jean had a black belt. Soon his younger siblings were emulating him. In an atmosphere of love, support, mutual respect and healthy competition, the siblings trained hard, daring to dream they might reach the pinnacle of their athletic field in the Olympics. In 2000 and 2004, Steven won the Olympic gold medal. Then came the victories and history for the four siblings in 2008.
Told in turn by Mark, Steven, Diana and Jean, this is the incredible story of how one family's boundless determination and rock-solid support system helped them make history as the first family ever to have four siblings on the same U.S. Olympic delegation. For the Lopez family, there's only one thing sweeter than winning the medals-sharing them.
'We found strength and perspective in something bigger than each of us...We made history in Beijing, but we built it long before we arrived. It's amazing how high you can reach when you stand on the shoulders of someone you love...We succeeded. Our dreams came true...We're still the same people, only now we have made Olympic historiy. We're still the same family.'-From Family Power
Contents
Preface by Brian Cazeneuve
Introduction by Jean Lopez
1 A land of hope by Diana Lopez
2 Follow the leader by Jean Lopez
3 Looking good by Steven Lopez
4 Behold the conueror by Mark Lopez
5 As I was saying by Diana Lopez
6 A long, strange trip by Jean Lopez
7 Heavy medal by Mark Lopez
8 From garage to penthouse by Steven Lopez
9 Hey, Mom, guess what? by Steven Lopez
10 The best and the worst by Jean Lopez
11 Against the script by Diana Lopez
12 Repeat after me by Steven Lpez
13 Good things happen in threes by Mark Lopez
14 First of its kind by Jean Lopez
15 Sharing the dream by Mark Lopez
Epilogue by Jean Lopez
Acknowledgments
'If there was an Olympics in family togetherness, the Lopezes might also win the gold.'-People
As the family who made history inthe 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China, with three siblings on the same U.S. Olympic team in
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the sport of taekwondo-and a fourth sibling as their coach-the Lopezes showed the world that discipline, dedication,determination, strength and a family who loves one another canconquer all. Mark took the silver medal, and Ste ven and Diana both broiught home the bronze, with big brother Jean bursting with prifde fo rhte siblings he coached to victory. Hre, for the first time,is the insiriing story of a family united by a draem.In 1972, Julio Lopez and his wife, Ondina, emigrated from Nicaragua to New York, before settling in Sugar Land, Texas, hoping for a sweeter life for their family, and a piece of the American dream. Julio enrolled his oldest boy, Jean, in taekwondo classes to teach him self-confidence, respect and discipine. By age twelve, Jean had a black belt. Soon his younger siblings were emulating him. In an atmosphere of love, support, mutual respect and healthy competition, the siblings trained hard, daring to dream they might reach the pinnacle of their athletic field in the Olympics. In 2000 and 2004, Steven won the Olympic gold medal. Then came the victories and history for the four siblings in 2008.
Told in turn by Mark, Steven, Diana and Jean, this is the incredible story of how one family's boundless determination and rock-solid support system helped them make history as the first family ever to have four siblings on the same U.S. Olympic delegation. For the Lopez family, there's only one thing sweeter than winning the medals-sharing them.
'We found strength and perspective in something bigger than each of us...We made history in Beijing, but we built it long before we arrived. It's amazing how high you can reach when you stand on the shoulders of someone you love...We succeeded. Our dreams came true...We're still the same people, only now we have made Olympic historiy. We're still the same family.'-From Family Power
Contents
Preface by Brian Cazeneuve
Introduction by Jean Lopez
1 A land of hope by Diana Lopez
2 Follow the leader by Jean Lopez
3 Looking good by Steven Lopez
4 Behold the conueror by Mark Lopez
5 As I was saying by Diana Lopez
6 A long, strange trip by Jean Lopez
7 Heavy medal by Mark Lopez
8 From garage to penthouse by Steven Lopez
9 Hey, Mom, guess what? by Steven Lopez
10 The best and the worst by Jean Lopez
11 Against the script by Diana Lopez
12 Repeat after me by Steven Lpez
13 Good things happen in threes by Mark Lopez
14 First of its kind by Jean Lopez
15 Sharing the dream by Mark Lopez
Epilogue by Jean Lopez
Acknowledgments
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Genres
ISBN
9780451228512
Publication
Celebra Penguin Books Ltd.