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Olympics await Sugar Land siblings

12:18 AM CDT on Wednesday, June 25, 2008

By Len Cannon / 11 News

Click to watch Len Cannon's 11 News report

SUGAR LAND, Texas — The Lopez family trains in a gym that feels like a sauna. This family that yells and kicks together wins together.

Steven is a two-time Olympic gold medalist and three-time world champion. Little sister Diana is also a world champ, and so is little brother Mark.

The oldest, Jean, will coach them at the summer Olympics in Beijing next month.

“You know sometimes it is the sport, but sometimes it’s the story that makes the Olympic games,” Steven Lopez said.

And what a story it is. Four Texas siblings now dominating a sport that was born in Korea.

Taekwondo is not a glamour sport like gymnastics or track and field, but with sheer excellence and this family thing, suddenly the Lopez family is attractive to advertisers.

You may have seen this an AT&T commercial featuring the family, and now the country is starting to take notice.

Steven has sponsorships with Coke and Visa, and the family also has a deal with Hilton hotels.

They aren’t exactly rich, but they no longer need jobs to support their training. 

They have been preparing for their close-up for a long time.

“I remember sitting Steve, Mark and Diana down when they were little and going through mock interviews,” Jean Lopez said.

“You know ever since I was a little kid I always wanted to be on TV, in the movies, be in the spotlight,” Mark said. “And this is my chance, and I am living the moment with my family.”

Three siblings haven’t competed in the same Olympic event since 1904. If they all win gold, they could be the darlings of the summer games.

Advertisers love Olympic heroes, and so does Hollywood — especially heroes who throw a mean kick.

“Of course if the doors of opportunity open up and Hollywood knocks on our door, we will answer,” Steven said.

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