SPOKANE VALLEY, Wash. — Dr. Dru Lopez will soon realize a dream shared by himself and his parents when he serves as the lead chiropractor for Team USA Track & Field at the Summer Olympics in Paris.
Lopez will work with some of the biggest names in the sport on its grandest stage.
At Summit Chiropractic & Sports Institute, Lopez practices his passion and expertise. On a typical day, he works with Parker Bowden, a local track athlete who recently competed at the Olympic Trials in the 110-meter hurdles. Lopez has been helping Bowden stay in peak condition since middle school.
"Everyone’s able to do the work on the track and in the weight room," Bowden said. "But this is the stuff that I think is going to separate good performance from great performance."
Lopez always dreamed of working with athletes. After years of effort and volunteering, he is about to work with the world's best. It has been a long journey from his early days.
"I did a lot of triathlons, a lot of 5Ks, marathons, and then one year I saw that the Junior USA Track & Field Junior Olympics were going to be in town," Lopez said. "I thought it would be cool to volunteer."
Lopez continued volunteering and receiving more opportunities. He eventually became the chair of the local USA Track & Field Inland Northwest Association. This led to invitations to national meets, the Pan American Junior Championships, and the World Indoor Championships in Glasgow. Now, he’s headed to the Olympics.
"They just kept inviting me back," Lopez said. "Now I’m the lead chiropractor for Team USA. It’s been a long journey from 2011 to 2024, but it was always my goal to reach this stage and go to the Olympics."
Lopez's journey is even more impressive considering his background. He immigrated to the U.S. at age 11, and his family sacrificed everything for a better life.
He went to school, opened a clinic, and became a go-to chiropractor for the country’s top athletes. As he prepares for his trip to Paris, Lopez feels gratitude and pride.
"This country has been so amazing to us," Lopez said. "To have this opportunity to give back to my new country, to the community that raised me, is an honor. Representing Team USA, the athletes, the medical staff, and my family is surreal. My parents sacrificed everything for this, and now I’m making our dream come true."
Lopez’s selection as a team chiropractor is partly based on athlete ratings after each meet, which determine whether he is invited back. Clearly, he is excelling in his field.