Derek Parra
Derek Parra won two medals at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah. He won gold in the 1,500 meters (and set a world record in the process) and silver in the 5,000 meters. In so doing, he became the first Mexican-American to ever win a gold medal at the Winter Olympics. He was one of eight Olympians selected to carry the American flag from the World Trade Center in the opening ceremonies. Prior to that in 2001, Parra set an American record and took silver in the 1,500 meters at the World Single Distance Championships.
Before launching a career in speed skating, Parra was a world-class inline skater, winning three national championships and two world titles. He also won 18 gold medals and set two world records and was the most successful athlete at the Pan-Am Games in 1995, winning five gold medals, two silver medals and one bronze medal. Parra switched to speed skating in the hopes of competing in the Olympics because inline skating was not an Olympic sport. Upon retirement, Parra began coaching and was head coach for the U.S. Speed Skating Team at the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver. Parra has also served as the Sports Program Director at the Utah Olympic Oval.
Derek Parra won two medals at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah. He won gold in the 1,500 meters (and set a world record in the process) and silver in the 5,000 meters. In so doing, he became the first Mexican-American to ever win a gold medal at the Winter Olympics. He was one of eight Olympians selected to carry the American flag from the World Trade Center in the opening ceremonies. Prior to that in 2001, Parra set an American record and took silver in the 1,500 meters at the World Single Distance Championships.
Before launching a career in speed skating, Parra was a world-class inline skater, winning three national championships and two world titles. He also won 18 gold medals and set two world records and was the most successful athlete at the Pan-Am Games in 1995, winning five gold medals, two silver medals and one bronze medal. Parra switched to speed skating in the hopes of competing in the Olympics because inline skating was not an Olympic sport. Upon retirement, Parra began coaching and was head coach for the U.S. Speed Skating Team at the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver. Parra has also served as the Sports Program Director at the Utah Olympic Oval.
