Derek Parra

My name is Derek Parra. I grew up in a broken home in a San Bernadino California neighborhood. While in Junior High school I discovered roller skating. I loved it! Coaches at the local rink took notice and worked with me. Being financially challenged at times I ate discarded fast food to survive.

With hard work and sheer determination, I eventually became a world champion roller skater. My dreams then turned to the Olympics. I started over to become an Ice Skater. Through many long, difficult years- and with the support of my team and my family, I went on to the 2002 Olympic Winter Games. There, I broke the world record in the fifteen hundred -meter speed skating event and won the Gold Medal. (powerinyou.org)