I?m sure most of you have heard about the Lopez family which has three siblings on the US Olympic Taekwondo team and their older brother is the team coach. Their father, Julio has worked for my firm since before I came on board over 16 years ago so I have watched these kids grow up into champions.
Earlier today, Diana won the Bronze Medal and Mark won the Silver in their respective weight divisions. Steven who is already a two time Olympic Gold Medalist, fights tomorrow and as you can imagine, everyone in our office and community is very excited. This is the first time in 104 years that three siblings have been on the same Olympic team and needless to say, we are all very proud of the whole family.
BEIJING ? Two members of the America?s first family of taekwondo earned their first Olympic medals on Thursday.
Mark Lopez claimed a silver medal and Diana Lopez a bronze, leaving them happy to be medal-winners, but somewhat disappointed that they didn?t claim the ultimate prize.
?I came here for the gold medal; silver?s great, but I came here for the gold,? said Mark Lopez.
Lopez lost 3-2 in one of the most exciting bouts at the Beijing Science and Technology University Gymnasium.
Korea?s Son Tae-jin scored the winner as time expired in the third and final round.
Lopez, who trailed 2-0 at one point in the match, thought the ruling on the point was incorrect.
?I thought it should have been 1-1 (a point for each), but that?s the way it went,? Lopez said. ?When you?re fighting Koreans, you have to go over and beyond to beat them and I guess I didn?t do that today.
?It?s their sport ? sometimes they get their way. Their one of the best and every time you face Korea, they are a formidable opponent and I respect that. It was a great match.?
Diana Lopez fought her way through repechage after losing in the second round. It took two wins in an hour for her to take the bronze medal.
She fell behind Italy?s Veronica Calabrese 2-1 after the second round, but tied the match early in the third and won it 3-2 in overtime.
The family has another shot at the Games, Mark Lopez said.
?Above everything, I?m here at the Olympic Games with my family - I can?t overlook that - it?s been a great ride and it?s not over yet," Lopez said. "My brother Steven?s gonna finish strong for us."
Steven looks to win a third straight gold medal here on Friday.
He opens against Bahri Tanrikulu, the brother of the fighter who knocked Diana out of gold medal contention.
?He?ll have my revenge,? Diana said.
Earlier today, Diana won the Bronze Medal and Mark won the Silver in their respective weight divisions. Steven who is already a two time Olympic Gold Medalist, fights tomorrow and as you can imagine, everyone in our office and community is very excited. This is the first time in 104 years that three siblings have been on the same Olympic team and needless to say, we are all very proud of the whole family.
BEIJING ? Two members of the America?s first family of taekwondo earned their first Olympic medals on Thursday.
Mark Lopez claimed a silver medal and Diana Lopez a bronze, leaving them happy to be medal-winners, but somewhat disappointed that they didn?t claim the ultimate prize.
?I came here for the gold medal; silver?s great, but I came here for the gold,? said Mark Lopez.
Lopez lost 3-2 in one of the most exciting bouts at the Beijing Science and Technology University Gymnasium.
Korea?s Son Tae-jin scored the winner as time expired in the third and final round.
Lopez, who trailed 2-0 at one point in the match, thought the ruling on the point was incorrect.
?I thought it should have been 1-1 (a point for each), but that?s the way it went,? Lopez said. ?When you?re fighting Koreans, you have to go over and beyond to beat them and I guess I didn?t do that today.
?It?s their sport ? sometimes they get their way. Their one of the best and every time you face Korea, they are a formidable opponent and I respect that. It was a great match.?
Diana Lopez fought her way through repechage after losing in the second round. It took two wins in an hour for her to take the bronze medal.
She fell behind Italy?s Veronica Calabrese 2-1 after the second round, but tied the match early in the third and won it 3-2 in overtime.
The family has another shot at the Games, Mark Lopez said.
?Above everything, I?m here at the Olympic Games with my family - I can?t overlook that - it?s been a great ride and it?s not over yet," Lopez said. "My brother Steven?s gonna finish strong for us."
Steven looks to win a third straight gold medal here on Friday.
He opens against Bahri Tanrikulu, the brother of the fighter who knocked Diana out of gold medal contention.
?He?ll have my revenge,? Diana said.
