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Hometown Honors Lopez Siblings
By Bill Kellick // USA Taekwondo // May 7, 2008
The Lopez family will make Olympic history this summer in Beijing.
On Tuesday, Steven, Mark and Diana Lopez were honored by the state of Texas and their hometown of Sugar Land.
The Lopezes are the first trio of siblings from America to compete in the same Olympics since Edward, Richard and William Tritschler did it in gymnastics in 1904. Oldest brother Jean is their coach.
Texas state Rep. Charlie Howard of Sugar Land, a Houston suburb, and state Sen. Rodney Ellis of Houston issued a proclamation calling Tuesday, "Lopez Family Be Hospitable Day."
Sugar Land mayor David G. Wallace was on hand to issue a similar decree for his city where the family grew up and still calls home.
Steven is a two-time Olympic champion after winning in 2000 and 2004. Mark and Diana will be competing in their first Olympics. Diana was an alternate in 2004.
"It's great to be honored. It just validates all the hard work and sacrifice we've done over the years," Mark Lopez said. "We just really appreciate that the city and state have acknowledged us and we appreciate everything they've done for us in the past."
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