Olympian Lolo Jones Scolds NY Times for ‘Ripping Her to Shreds’ in Tearful TV Interview: ‘I…Fought Hard for My Country’
- Posted on August 8, 2012 at 4:18pm by
Billy Hallowell
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This morning, TheBlaze told you about the harsh jabs and critiques that Olympian Lolo Jones faced following her fourth place finish this week. Aside from the graphic and mean-spirited Twitter comments that were aimed at her decision to remain a virgin until marriage, Jones also received some scathing treatment from The New York Times. In a tearful interview with NBC’s “Today” this morning, the athlete discussed her failure to secure a medal, responded to the newspaper’s allegations and defended her record.
EUGENE, OR - JUNE 23: (L-R) Lolo Jones, Dawn Harper and Kellie Wells pose after qualifying for the Olympics after the women's 100 meter hurdles final during Day Two of the 2012 U.S. Olympic Track & Field Team Trials at Hayward Field on June 23, 2012 in Eugene, Oregon. Photo Credit: Getty Images
…Jones has received far greater publicity than any other American track and field athlete competing in the London Games. This was based not on achievement but on her exotic beauty and on a sad and cynical marketing campaign. Essentially, Jones has decided she will be whatever anyone wants her to be — vixen, virgin, victim — to draw attention to herself and the many products she endorses.
Women have struggled for decades to be appreciated as athletes. For the first time at these Games, every competing nation has sent a female participant. But Jones is not assured enough with her hurdling or her compelling story of perseverance. So she has played into the persistent, demeaning notion that women are worthy as athletes only if they have sex appeal. And, too often, the news media have played right along with her.
Aside from making these claims, the piece essentially compared Jones to Anna Kournikova, a tennis pro who gained fame more for her good looks than her athletic abilities. Jones took particular issue with the negative characterizations given, but she felt particularly angry that an American newspaper would rip her “to shreds” just days before she represented the nation on the international stage.
(Related: ‘Virgin Sh**’: Critics Blame Lolo Jones’ Virginity for Her 4th Place Olympic Finish)
“I think it was crazy just because it was two days before I competed, and then the fact that it was from a U.S. media,” she said in an interview with Savannah Guthrie.” They should be supporting our U.S. Olympic athletes and instead they just ripped me to shreds.”
US' LoLo Jones gets ready for the start of the women's 100m hurdles heats at the athletics event of the London 2012 Olympic Games on August 6, 2012 in London. Photo Credit: AFP/Getty Images
Jones explained that she worked six days per week for four years for a race that lasted only 12 seconds, going on to call the Times’ treatment of her “heartbreaking.“ She also accused the newspaper of not doing ”their research,” and highlighted the fact that she is the American record holder indoors. Throughout a portion of the interview, she was clearly holding back tears.
“Just because I don’t boast about these things, I don’t think I should be ripped apart by media,” she explained. “I laid it out there, fought hard for my country and it’s just a shame that I have to deal with so much backlash when I’m already so brokenhearted as it is.”
Watch Jones’ tearful response, below:
The USA Track & Field web site does, indeed, corroborate Jones’ statement that she holds indoor records. Also, her biography describes a spinal surgery she had in 2011 — just one year before this week’s competition:
Jones had spinal surgery in 2011 exactly one year out from the 2012 Olympic final to correct a tethered spine. The spinal condition is believed to have been a factor in her string of recent injuries.
She was the first woman ever to claim back-to-back World Indoor titles in the 60m hurdles while setting an American record in the process. Jones finished her career at LSU as a three-time national champion and 11-time All-American, where she ranks among the top-three all-time at LSU in both the 60m and 100m hurdles. Jones was named Gatorade Midwest Athlete of the year and holds the 100mH record for the state of Iowa (13.40).
WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA - NOVEMBER 17: Track and field athlete Lolo Jones poses for a portrait during the USOC Portrait Shoot at Smashbox West Hollywood on November 17, 2011 in West Hollywood, California.
In the end, Jones claims that she doesn’t regret sharing her personal stories with the world. She cited her ability, considering exposure and attention, to impact others in a positive light.
“Maybe there’s a little girl who thinks she can be an Olympic athlete and she sees all the things I struggled through to get here. Yeah, I didn’t walk away with a medal or run away with a medal, but I think there’s lessons to be learned when you win and lessons to be learned when you lose,” she said.
(H/T: Today)
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Comments (132)
Anonymous T. Irrelevant
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 5:11pmLet’s take a count, how many NYT editorialists and reporters made the Olympics? Anyone? Anyone? Buehler? Buehler?
Report Post »Constructionist
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 5:20pmI’m not sure; however, I believe the answer to one of your next questions will be “Voodoo Economics”.
Report Post »biohazard23
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 5:29pm“It‘s Bush’s fault!” Well, isn’t that their go-to response for everything?
Report Post »amtsoundsmith
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 6:13pmLets take another count of how many NYT editorialists and reporters received gonorrhea and crabs while reporting at the Olympics.
Report Post »MCDAVE
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 6:48pm@lolo Jones the MSM and the NY Times are so possessed of hatred for for conservative people, your beauty and morality is more than they can stand ,They simply can’t have someone like you become a roll model for young woman,so they attack you…Sorry you did not win,but am proud of your sportsman like conduct accepting the loss..I for one am proud to have you represent us the Olympics.
Report Post »koyettsu
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 7:22pmShe is beautiful, she has great morals and she has my full support but someone needs to talk with her about her “you knows” and “likes”. Either way I am proud she was representing America =)
Report Post »yougottabekidding
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 7:30pmWhy go through the expense of sending so many people to the Olympics have the times tell us who is going to win and shoot the pompous ass if they lose. See how easy that was.
Report Post »Bikkiboo
Posted on August 9, 2012 at 9:46pmShe’s worked hard, and she’s the fourth best IN THE WORLD! Can anyone in the media say that?
Report Post »thegreatcarnac
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 5:03pmWhat has our media become? Since when did it become shameful for a good Christian girl to decide she will stay a virgin until marriage? It is to be praised and she is more beautiful for it. The New York times is trash. It is the mouth of the left who are against anything pure, holsum, or Christian. This nation has become like the Bible predicted…..‘good will be called bad and bad will be called good’ (paraphrase). They were probably glad she came in fourth. None of the people on the NYtimes could even walk down the stands of the Olympics….much less take part. Lolo is a hero.
Report Post »Balpit
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 6:14pm‘good will be called bad and bad will be called good’
That’s their golden rule.
Report Post »justangry
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 6:17pmOh the media are nothing but a bunch of dirty rats. She competed, did her best, and fell short. That‘s the only story line that’s relevant. I care less about the rest of her personal life to be honest.
Report Post »loriann12
Posted on August 9, 2012 at 6:35amAnd when did it become shameful for a good Christian woman, who wants to be a virgin until she marries, to be pretty? They should take that up with God, He’s the one who made her pretty. They’re just jealous because all the liberal women are butt ugly.
Report Post »grandma7
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 5:01pmLovin’ Lolo and Gabby for their bright/shiny souls!!!!
Report Post »You both are “Golds” to us!!!
DebGal
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 8:27pmAbsolutely! Golden souls!
Report Post »starman70
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 8:55pmLolo, honey, The New York Times NEVER has anything good to say about America or the Athletes who represent us.
The NYT, once the epitome of newspapers, has become a totally irrelevant Communist Rag similar to Stanin’s Pravda. That is why their readership is abysmal. As a matter of fact, Pravda used to treat the Russian Athletes in the same shameful manner. Pravda did everything they could to demean an athlete if they didn’t bring home a medal no matter how hard they tried. The dictatorship couldn’t stand losing. Of course, the NYT doesn’t like the fact that you are a commited Christian. They have a total disdain for Christianity.
I personally saw your effort and you gave it everything. In every sport, an athlete has good and bad results. Don’t let those ignoramuses at the Times get to you. Not a one of them could clear the first hurdle no less finish the race. All they can do is demean those who try.
GOD BLESS YOU!! KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!!
Report Post »OniKaze
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 5:01pmI agree… Its a shame that Miss Jones is not known as much for what she has spent her life trying to achieve (athletic superiority in her field) but for something the shouldn‘t matter to anyone who doesn’t know her…
She deserves better.. She worked hard, and should be recognized for that, and not her sexual status.
And to say Anna Kournikova was not a good athlete in her field is wrong as well… Was she as good as some of the other female tennis players, no… But there are MANY beautiful tennis players, which made Anna nothing special.. I am not sure why the media made Anna Kournikova a star… Was she a good tennis player, she was better than me….. Was she beautiful, yes… Why was she famous?? I have NO idea….
So cut both Anna Kournikova and Lolo Jones a break.. They are better at their fields than 99% of the rest of us….
Report Post »CulperGang
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 5:01pmLolo. You are beautiful inside and outside. THEY ARE JELOUS……..loosers.
Report Post »pamela kay
Posted on August 9, 2012 at 2:58amShe is wonderful and talented. They have made these comments about this young woman and there is no real backlash from the left. Yet one of the host on FOX was extremely bashed by the left for asking why the uniforms were not more patriotic. She was accused of attacking little Gabby Douglas. Unbelievable.
Report Post »Meyvn
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 5:00pmStay strong Lolo! Fk the media!
Report Post »imsteph
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 4:59pmthe first thing anyone who has any kind of moral compass and values needs to understand is that the MEDIA IS NOT YOUR FRIEND.
You are but a pawn. A thing for them to use. And if they do their job correctly (as they see it)-they will tear you down, leave you in ashes, and laugh as they walk away.
Report Post »republic2011
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 4:56pmScrew the NYT and the person that wrote that article. Would love to get them out on the track and see their lazy lard arse get anywhere close to what Lolo accomplished. Lolo should be proud of herself, we know she is proud of her Country, and she should also be proud of the decisions she has made. As a Country we should be celebrating people with conviction, instead of celebrating spineless politicians, media moguls, and worthless actors and actresses.
Report Post »The_Cabrito_Goat
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 5:02pmIt wasnt her fault she was born white
Report Post »Anonymous T. Irrelevant
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 5:08pmSpeaking of worthless actors and actresses, who else saw the promo for the pretenders trying to be Navy Seals, Army Rangers, and Green Berets? What is THAT all about? Are we supposed to be impressed that these pampered pusses jump in the water, then drink a Pierrier between takes?
Report Post »Wango
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 5:41pmGOAT BOY . . . White?
Report Post »Wango
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 5:44pmANONYMOUS . . . Ironic given that picture of yours. He’s not a real crocodile hunter, you know that right?
Report Post »Verceofreason
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 7:39pmI heard she’s so pissed she going out to get laid, tonight.
Report Post »Git-R-Done
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 9:50pmVoiceofnoreason – Don‘t be a bitter jealous Marxist that she won’t have anything to do with a loser like you.
Report Post »The_Cabrito_Goat
Posted on August 9, 2012 at 10:51amPoorly told joke. If she were a color besides white, I think she would have had the athleticism to win
Report Post »Steps
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 4:53pmThe people of this nation, who still understand what morals and individual values are, applaud you. Don’t let those that have no underatanding of how to live a life with values, goals, and morals upset you.
Thank you for representing us in the 2012 Olympics. And thank you for sharing your story and being a GOOD influence on our kids in this country.
Report Post »Chromo200
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 5:32pmExcellent comment.
Report Post »Chromo200
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 5:38pmSo now if you good looking, a christian, and don’t belive in sex before marriage your a looser. I see NOW coming to the support of LoLo. Another hypocritical action by a murderous organization.
I think Lolo is an Olympian and deserves a lot of pluses in her life. If she stays true to her belief God will reward her both here and in heaven.
Report Post »saranda
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 6:12pmRead the article. It was not about her being avirgin,itwas about the hypocrqcy of proclaiming her virginity ity while posing nude for a magazine and almost nude for another. It is about her getting attention ahead of her more deserving teammates who have accomplished more than her yet no one notices because theydont self promote.the article is quite good and points out how we celebrate celebrity not accomplishment.
Report Post »Verceofreason
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 7:40pmBristol PALIN says F you.
Report Post »Lothmar
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 4:49pmAll I have to say is…. Awesome Girl abs. ~Flash, shine, Cut diamonds~ lol.
Report Post »Verceofreason
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 7:41pmThanks for making the NYT’s point.
Report Post »kickagrandma
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 4:46pmSo proud of you Lolo Jones!
What a class act!
You are doing fine, young woman. GOD IS VERY PROUD OF YOU, and so are we!
Report Post »Wango
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 5:42pmThat;s Granny, not enough to speak to go but you have to speak for him. Thanks. Ask him why all the starvation and disease in Africa?
Report Post »inblack
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 6:06pmWANGO = troll + *****
Report Post »DrunkGOP_Hack
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 6:54pmWANGO – and you are just a d!ck to all because!?
BITTER MUCH CHILD!?
Report Post »rs9
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 7:03pmWango a hloe
Report Post »Its because corrupt black people are running the continent, and the corrupt black people in the whitehouse have the same in store for you and all of us
DiamondDog
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 4:44pmIn the last 4 years, the New York Times has accomplished….Zero, Zilch, Nothing.
Report Post »Mil Mom
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 5:09pm@DiamondDog
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 4:44pm
In the last 4 years, the New York Times has accomplished….Zero, Zilch, Nothing
Report Post »***
Unless you count untold deposits to prove this sewer needs “A Giant Flush!”
4truth2all
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 5:14pmNot true … they are accomplished liers … gold metalists … to bad it’s false gold to be smelted by the Lord … a consuming fire!
Report Post »chips1
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 5:16pmI don’t believe that the NYT should be described as an American news paper. Kenya isn’t part of the U.S.
Report Post »Wango
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 5:43pmCHPS . . . Neither is Texas, but they still call themselves Americans.
Report Post »Verceofreason
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 7:43pm4truth
Report Post »just medaled in spelling errors.
4truth2all
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 8:26pmyo Verce:
Whetever …
Report Post »4truth2all
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 8:34pmYo Verce:
Based on your comments … I’d be more concerned about the correctness of what I said, not the correctness of my spelling since you seem to value fools gold … please feel free to spell check .
Report Post »IMCHRISTIAN
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 4:38pmA person that does their very best should be applauded. Good job. Ms Jones for your 4th place…
When we have schools and an administration that thinks everybody should be graded equally in all things are so wrong. Losing sometimes helps to get a person to do better the next time in whatever they do.
Report Post »The highlander
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 4:38pmThere are three truths that one should always apply when measuring a statement from a modern democrat or the mainstream media one is- follow the money,, two is -check for error, and the third is- never under estimate lefts deep hatred of God and the Christian men and women who strive to follow Him.
Report Post »wing_n_it
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 4:34pmThe NYT attempts to degrade her makes me respect her more and the NYT less, if that is possible. She and others like her are a threat to the world view the NYT holds. Thank God for her. I will use this article to illustrate to my 15 year old son the ills of the media and how out of touch they are, hence turning off yet another potential consumer of their trash.
Report Post »ElChupaCabraDeUSA
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 4:34pmLoLo, you weren’t ripped in the US media. You were ripped by the Progressive Polit Bureau. It means nothing and real Americans are with you
Report Post »OklahomaBound
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 4:32pmYou have to keep in mind that the left hate beautiful women because they have so few of them themselves. Jealousy and envy are ugly things, but the left wear such emotions proudly.
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 4:45pmThey hate anyone with standards, because they have none themselves.
Report Post »Wango
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 5:46pmOKIEROUND . . . yeah, those Hollywood starlets . . . hideous. Can’t hold a candle to that curlyQ kisser of Greta.
Report Post »MeteoricLimbo
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 4:31pmThe New York Slimes should be ashamed of themselves.
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 4:43pmThey are incapable of shame.
Report Post »Wango
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 5:45pmYep. It’s the stain of Judy Miller.
Report Post »watashbuddyfriend
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 4:31pmLola, my hope is that others can learn from your mistake! DO NOT get caught up in the Media crap, revealing personal information.
Report Post »wing_n_it
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 4:41pmYou are wrong. That is exactly that the NYT and lib media outlets want. DO NOT hide your beauty, goodness and beliefs. LET IT SHINE!
Report Post »Edohiguma
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 4:29pmWhat these people also forget is that the daily form isn’t stable. You can have a great row of good results spanning over weeks and then there’s this one day where nothing really works. For her that one day just struck at this event. It happens.
I wonder how many people bashing her have ever competed on an international level or a level close to that.
Report Post »@leftfighter
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 4:29pmThe Times will never admit it, but Lolo‘s Christian Fairh is actually what’s being attacked here.
It’s indirect, but that’s what it is.
Report Post »KStret
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 5:03pmExactly! There have been many Olympic athletes who have a lot of endorsements and marketing behind them. Why didn’t the NYT have a problem with any of them?
Answer: You can’t have a strong female role model who is a Christian and waiting to have sex until she gets married. Girls are supposed to look up to promiscuous actresses and musicians.
Report Post »barber2
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 6:33pmThe NYT has been trashing the Catholic Church for years. The NYT shares Obama’s / international Left’s agenda : re-elect Obama ; trash Republicans; atheism ; abortion rights; gay marriage; anti-Isreal ….you know, all of the “stuff.”
Report Post »Landon410
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 4:27pmLolo move to Nebraska (or any republican state), you’ll be loved there, you can train in peace and be who you are and be respected for it.
Report Post »Want our country back
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 4:24pmThe left would love her if only she were a slut, talked dirty to them & wanted Conservatives to die. She’d be their perfect woman.
Report Post »watashbuddyfriend
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 4:32pm@ Want our country back
Report Post »Posted on August 8, 2012 at 4:24pm RIGHT ON!
pap pap
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 4:23pmThey should just give her a break it‘s bad enough she’s not getting laid. Sure is hot though.
StepUpSpeakOut
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 5:09pmYou are nasty, and I don’t appreciate your post. It was completely inappropriate. Keep your stinking remarks to yourself if you can’t be decent.
Report Post »6t5gto
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 4:23pmAny jackass that criticized her want to race her for $10,000?
Report Post »Popp40
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 4:37pmI would even go a step further….anyone who puts her down want to race her with a 2 hurdle head start…..garuantee she would still walk them down.
Report Post »Wango
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 5:47pmYou can’t serve both Lolo and Mamon
Report Post »4truth2all
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 8:38pmYo Wango:
It would be funny if you were actually funny…
Report Post »Git-R-Done
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 9:52pmAnd here you Marxists hypocritically preach live and let live when you’re not even practicing that.
Report Post »Central washington
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 9:59pmYou are a vile person and every word you say is being recorded for a special time called Judgement Day.
Report Post »Verceofreason
Posted on August 9, 2012 at 1:23amWhy do yo call everyone a marxist?
Report Post »Is that the insult du jour?
I prefer doodyhead.