July 22, 2008
I thought I would take a minute to add to the family blog. My name is Jean and I am the oldest brother and the U.S. Olympic Taekwondo Team coach. It is hard to believe that our dream, which began in 1988, of all of us being at the Olympic Games is coming true. It wasn’t until 2000, that the sport of Taekwondo became a full medal sport at the Olympics but from that point on we knew it was only a matter of time before we would walk into Opening Ceremonies together as a family. I can’t even imagine how we will feel on 8-8-08 but I know it is going to be a very memorable moment for all of us.
We will have a busy week as this is our last week at home. We leave on Friday for San Jose. Everyone is looking really good and we are all excited to get to Singapore and continue training before heading to Beijing. Charlotte Craig, the fourth member of the team, has been training with us in Houston and she has become like our little sister. She has joked around with the media saying she is the blonde Lopez. She is a great sport and she has a very bright future ahead of her. She has been soaking it all in and is ready to get to Beijing and experience the Olympic Games.
In case you all haven’t seen the story, there is a nice article on our family in the July 28 issue of People Magazine with Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt on the cover. The story and photos were great, so make sure and pick up a copy. My daughter, Alyxandra, liked the fact that her name was mentioned in the article.
Tuesday night on NBC's America's Got Talent Show the AT&T/3 Doors Down music video for the Olympic Games will debut. In the video they feature various Olympic athletes including me and my family so be sure to watch that tonight and look for us in the video.
I would like to thank Lenovo for giving us the opportunity to do this blog and for the cool gadgets they sent us to allow us to connect with the fans out there. People ask me if it is hard for me to be the coach and the big brother and I would be lying if I said it wasn’t hard at times but at the same time I wouldn’t trade places with anyone in the world. I think by being the older brother, it gives me an advantage as a coach because I know my brothers and sister so well that I can read what they are thinking without them actually saying anything. Also they know they can trust me whole heartedly and having that kind of trust in your coach is a definite advantage. When I was young my father, Julio, put me in the position to serve in the leadership role for my siblings and it is a role I still take very seriously today and I do it with great pride.
Well I better get off the computer and spend some time with my wife, Tabetha, and our three kids, Alyxandra, Diego and Andres. I also better get to packing since we only have a few days left before we leave. Thanks for reading and will check-in with you again once in Beijing.
Amazing Awaits!!!
Jean
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5 comments:
hey jean. congrats and much luck to you all in beijing! it's great to see how far you've taken the sport and your dreams. i flipped out when i saw one of the ATT commercials. i was proud! so it'll be fun to follow the games, esp knowing you guys from the olden days.
blessings, teresa
Hello Lopez family,
I wanted to drop you all a line and say how proud I am of you all. It has been a true pleasure having you all as friends. You have always treated me with respect and like I was family. I encourage all my students to take note of your accompishments and what you are doing for the sport and art of TKD. All the best on your quest for the GOLD. We all are proud to have you representing our country and our sport in this momentous occasion.
Your friend,
Joe - VA
Hi Joe!! Thanks for your message! I miss you and hope to see you when we all get back into town. Hope your son is doing well also.
Diana
Hey Diana,
Thanks for the response and kind words for my son. Take care out there and tell everyone else to do the same. Tell Jean to lay off the Chicken liver or whatever that stuff was he had to eat the last time. Again, all the best and I will see you all upon your return.
Joe - VA
To all of the Olympians!
First of all, CONGRATULATIONS on everything! It's so awesome to see how well you guys are doing and for the sport. It's crazy to think that you guys are THIS GOOD even after what, fifteen years?!
The other day, I opened my Minute Maid juice box for my daughter, and nearly dropped it when I saw Steven's photo staring back at me!! It's so awesome to see how well you guys are doing and for the sport.
I wish you all lots of luck, and we'll be cheering y'all on here in California :)
God Bless and USA Taekwondo FIGHTING!!
- Yoon Kyung
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