It's A Medal Sweep For The Lopez Family

Jean, Steven, Mark and Diana Lopez made history (click on Permalink for previous story), when they all qualified to represent USA in the Taekwondo competitions at the Beijing Olympics. And they didn't disappoint - Under Jean's watchful eyes and training, all three returned home with Olympic medals.

Steven, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, had to settle for a bronze this year. While disappointed, he was happy to have at least won a medal.

Diana his sister, had a similar outcome in her quest for gold. However, this youngest Lopez sibling fought valiantly winning a bronze medal against Italy's Veronica Calabrese, in overtime. As she later said to reporters - after all the hard work she had put in, there was no way she was returning home without a medal.

First-time Olympian Mark who won a silver medal, had the best outcome of the three. He lost to Taijen Son from Korea, who managed to sneak in the winning point at the last minute.

While all three worked hard, Jean the eldest brother and coach, said that he had the toughest job of all, playing coach, mentor and cheerleader to all them - he was exhausted!

At the end of the day, they were all thrilled to have at least medalled - especially, since their mother Diana, had flown to Beijing to watch the competitions. It turns out that Diana is terrified of flying, and had never before watched any of their competitions live. However, she had promised that if ever, they all qualified for the Olympics, she would set aside her fears and go - They fulfilled their side of the bargain, leaving her with no choice!

The family returned to Texas, a little sore but quite jubiliant at being not only the first set of three siblings ever to qualify for the Olympics, but also the first set of siblings ever to medal.

We somehow get the feeling this is not the last we hear of this amazing family. They will be back in London in 2012, and, return with the gold!

Source: Chron.com, LA times.com