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Mark Lopez
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MARK LOPEZ


Q&A With Taekwondo's Mark Lopez

Fighter, Siblings Make Olympic History

POSTED: 2:54 pm EDT April 29, 2008
UPDATED: 4:14 pm EDT April 30, 2008

Mark Lopez and his family are making Olympic history at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, where the taekwondo fighters will be the first three siblings since 1904 to make an Olympic team in the same year. Mark, Diana and Steven -- a two-time Olympic champion -- are all coached by their oldest brother, Jean.

As he prepares for his first Olympics, Mark discusses his family's feat, his signature back flip and his love of Fox News and "The O'Reilly Factor."

What does it mean to you to be competing at the Olympics with Steven and Diana?
First and foremost, I'm just happy to be able to make my parents proud. … It's a dream come true. I'm a big patriot, and I'm looking forward to being able to meet President George W. Bush, I hear he meets with all of the Olympians.

Are your parents going to Beijing?
Yes, they both are. (My mom) usually doesn't go to our competitions, but she said if all four of us make it, she'll go.

Having watched Steven compete in the previous Olympics, did you pick up any pointers from watching him deal with the Olympic setting that can help you prepare for your first Games?
Just his work ethic. After he won the Olympics (in 2004), he came back to training and has trained harder than he ever has before.

Was it difficult fighting against your own Elite Taekwondo Center teammate, Chris Martinez, at the Olympic trials to earn your spot on the team?
I've been in that position before. In the ring, he's just another opponent, and I don't even think about it. …And after the fight, he's my family, he's my teammate. … But the main thing is just to show respect for each other before and after the fight.

Who was more excited after you and Diana won at Trials -- you and Diana, or Jean?
Jean, most definitely. Like our parents, Jean's put a lot of work and sacrifice into us.

If you win an Olympic medal, do you have any plans to spice up your victory ritual of doing a back flip?
(laughs) I don't know. I'll probably have to ask one of the gymnasts how to do something different.

On your previous trips to Beijing, did you see anything that you want to make sure to revisit?
I was there in 1999, and I went to the Great Wall of China during the fall or winter, so it was really cold and gray out. I really want to go back there now during the summer when it's sunny and warm.

What's one thing you want people to know about you?
I graduated magna cum laude from St. Thomas with a degree in finance and a minor in philosophy. I really like to learn. … I also really like to follow the news. I watch Fox News all of the time, and Bill O'Reilly.


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