Nicaraguans enjoy as their own, the emotion and happiness of the victories obtained by United States citizens of Nicaraguan origin at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.

They are U.S. citizens Mark and Diana Lopez, children of Nicaraguan immigrants, who won silver and bronze medals in the men's 68kg and women's 57kg respectively in taekwondo.

"The Lopez (siblings) won silver and bronze" was the headline of the Nicaraguan newspaper "El Nuevo Diario" from Managua in its Thursday's electronic edition after knowing the results of these two siblings who are coached by their older brother Jean Lopez.

The Nicaraguan press follows every day the achievements of these two athletes, whose parents left Nicaragua due to economic hardships.

According to the paper El Nuevo Diario, Mark defeated Peter Lopez in the semifinals.

Peter Lopez, who was born in California from Peruvian parents, opted to represent Peru at the Beijing Olympic Games.

Diana Lopez defeated Italian Veronica Calabrese 3-2 and won the bronze medal.

"It is a great day for the Lopez family," coach Jean Lopez said.

Steven, the fourth children of the Lopez family, will compete Friday.

William Pavon, a Nicaraguan from La Concepcion in the oriental province of Masaya, said he looks for information about the Lopez family every day in the newspapers.

For William, the Lopez family is now living "the American dream" which was not possible in their own country.

"I am here with my family. This is not over. My brother is still in the competition and he is going to win the gold medal," Mark Lopez told the Nicaraguan newspaper.

(Xinhua News Agency August 22, 2008)