Derek
Parra
Athlete
Born: San Bernadino, California
At
the 2002 Winter Olympics, Derek Parra set the world record
in the 1,500-meter speed skating competition, making him the
first Mexican American to win
a gold medal in the Winter Olympics.
“To
not dream is a terrible crime. Everybody wants to win, to
succeed. The people who are willing to prepare for that are
the people who will succeed because they are willing to put
in the hours, the days, the years to achieve their dreams.”
Parra
started skating at a local roller rink as a child. Although
extremely successful as an in-line skater, Parra realized that
he would never become an Olympic contender in that sport so
he dedicated himself to speed skating.
“You
don't have to win to be successful. You don't have to win
a gold medal or set a world record. If you're improving every
day in your life, constantly trying to raise the bar of your
performance, whether it's in education, or sports, or just
life, then you're succeeding.”
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