athletic accomplishments:
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Derek's
story...*
In 1984, at age 14, Derek began roller skating in his hometown of San Bernardino, CA. By 1996 he had become the most decorated athlete in the history of the sport. On wheels he was a three-time national champion, two-time overall World Champion, two-time World record holder (1500m and 42K) and he earned eighteen individual gold medals. He was the most decorated athlete at 1995 Pan-Am Games winning 5 gold, 2 silver and a bronze medal. He had everything but an Olympic Medal. So in 1996, he switched from inline skates to ice skates to chase after that medal. Just two years later he earned a spot on the 1998 US Olympic Team. In February of 2001 he won a silver medal at the World Single Distance Championships (1500 meters) setting a new American Record and marking himself as "one to watch at the 2002 Olympic Games". Starting the 2001-2002 season he picked up just where he left off. In late November he won a gold medal at the World Cup competition in Den Hague, Netherlands and became one of America's foremost medal contenders heading into the Olympics. In Salt Lake City he did not disappoint! In a remarkable 5000 meter performance on opening day of the Games he briefly held the world record en route to a silver medal finish. That set the stage for a stunning world record finish and Olympic Gold Medal in the 1500 meter event! * read Derek's detailed life story here: http://www.qsports.net/derekparrastory.html |
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Derek at celebrity and charity events:
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Derek in the Latino Community Since bringing home the gold, Derek has already used his blossoming celebrity status to give back to the Latino community in a number of ways. He has been particularly active in the area of education. He is a spokesperson for the National Hispanic Press Foundation to encourage education among Latinos and he has already established two Derek Parra Scholarships earmarked for Latino students. He has been recognized at the NCLR sponsored American Latino Media Arts Awards, he’s been named the Inland Empire (southern CA) Latino of the Year and awarded the prestigious Hispanic Heritage Award. He's been an invited keynote speaker for the National Council of LaRaza (NCLR), LARASA, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute, the US Hispanic Leadership Institute and the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities. He's already appeared at numerous Latino focused community events and been utilized in Hispanic print, radio and television advertising campaigns. He has been named as one of Hispanic Business Magazine's 100 Most Influential Hispanics in the United States recognized by Hispanic Magazine with a Hispanic Achievement Award as Sportsman of the Year and he has been profiled by Latino Legends in Sport. |
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Derek in Corporate America Derek has made performed speaking engagements/personal appearances for these companies and organizations:
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