Steven Lopez (born November 9, 1978) is a 2000 and 2004 Olympic gold medalist in Taekwondo at the Olympics. Lopez became the first official Olympic gold medalist in the sport of Taekwondo at the 2000 Olympic Games. In 2003, he earned the rank of Taekwondo world champion in his weight class.
Born November 9, 1978, Lopez's parents moved to New York City in 1972 from Nicaragua, where his father, Julio, worked for the government of the then-President Anastasio Somoza who was overthrown in 1979 after the Sandinista Revolution. His father took odd jobs to support his family but later relocated to Texas.[2] Lopez first learned the sport of Taekwondo in his garage at the age of five from his father and Jean, his older brother.[1] He is a 1997 graduate of Kempner High School in Sugar Land, Texas where he was voted "most likely to succeed" and was member of the National Honor Society.
Steven's siblings, Mark, Diana, and Jean Lopez (coach) are all USA National Team Members in the sport of Taekwondo. His younger siblings, Mark and Diana, will also be representing the United States at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. This is the first time since 1904 that three siblings have been on the same Olympic team. Steven and his siblings, Mark (men's featherweight) and sister Diana (women's featherweight) made sports history in April 2005 when they all claimed a world championship title at the same event (2005 World Taekwondo Championships) with their oldest brother, Jean, participating in the feat as their coach.[3]
On January 2006, Lopez tested positive for a banned substance (L-methamphetamine) which he said came from an over-the-counter vapor inhaler he used. Lopez promptly accepted a three-month suspension and participated in an educational anti-doping program.[3]
Lopez has appeared in People Magazine's 50 Most Beautiful People.[3]
Steven's siblings, Mark, Diana, and Jean Lopez (coach) are all USA National Team Members in the sport of Taekwondo. His younger siblings, Mark and Diana, will also be representing the United States at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. This is the first time since 1904 that three siblings have been on the same Olympic team. Steven and his siblings, Mark (men's featherweight) and sister Diana (women's featherweight) made sports history in April 2005 when they all claimed a world championship title at the same event (2005 World Taekwondo Championships) with their oldest brother, Jean, participating in the feat as their coach.[3]
On January 2006, Lopez tested positive for a banned substance (L-methamphetamine) which he said came from an over-the-counter vapor inhaler he used. Lopez promptly accepted a three-month suspension and participated in an educational anti-doping program.[3]
Lopez has appeared in People Magazine's 50 Most Beautiful People.[3]
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