Why All of the LoLo Jones Hate?

NYT said she is the "Anna Kournikova" of track. Her two teammates are jealous of her notoriety and took shots at her.

I don't get it. She had spinal surgery last year and came in 4th in the Olympics. She holds the American record so I'm not sure how the "Anna" comparison comes about.

She's never been in trouble. Great story overcoming a rough, rough childhood.

Why the hate?


Dawn Harper and Kellie Wells, American Hurdler Medalists, Reveal Salty Jealousy About Lolo Jones | The Big Lead

Good article.


Geoff Calkins: At Olympics, image isn't everything » The Commercial Appeal

Hard to understand. The only thing I can think of is that she has "underperformed" on the Olympic stage. As if being fourth-best on the planet is something terrible.

Originally Posted by mcpapa

Hard to understand. The only thing I can think of is that she has "underperformed" on the Olympic stage. As if being fourth-best on the planet is something terrible.

Race was yesterday. NYT hit piece was this weekend.

I really enjoyed watching those two and their reaction towards winning Bronze and Silver last night. I was impressed how cool Harper was after just barely losing to the Australian. After seeing this video, I just shake my head...get over yourself. Not sure why LoLo is getting hate, their beef should be with the media.

I don't really get it either. Maybe it's because she gets more attention for being pretty.

Originally Posted by HammerTime

I don't really get it either. Maybe it's because she gets more attention for being pretty.

No question on that especially from her teammates.

However, isn't the "hate" misplaced?

Wow ... the interview.

This won't be the popular opinion but I can see where Harper and Wells are coming from. Harper is the reigning gold medalist and Jones is getting the endorsements. You've heard more about Lolo Jones at these games than you have Harper. Before the race last night, we get to see a comeback piece on Jones but nothing on Harper, or even Wells who was a victim of rape and rebounded to win a medal. Now THAT's a story. And when NBC recapped the race on their news this morning, it was "the Aussie won, edging Dawn Harper for the gold. Lolo Jones finished fourth." No mention of Wells getting the bronze.

Is there some jealously? Yes. But I can understand why. And I think the Anna Kournakova comparison is spot on.

Originally Posted by Clyde

No question on that especially from her teammates.

However, isn't the "hate" misplaced?

Yes, they are simply jealous Lolo is more of a media darling than they are for whatever reason. They want to be in the spotlight and feel like the deserve it.

Originally Posted by The Scribe

This won't be the popular opinion but I can see where Harper and Wells are coming from. Harper is the reigning gold medalist and Jones is getting the endorsements. You've heard more about Lolo Jones at these games than you have Harper. Before the race last night, we get to see a comeback piece on Jones but nothing on Harper, or even Wells who was a victim of rape and rebounded to win a medal. Now THAT's a story. And when NBC recapped the race on their news this morning, it was "the Aussie won, edging Dawn Harper for the gold. Lolo Jones finished fourth." No mention of Wells getting the bronze.

Is there some jealously? Yes. But I can understand why. And I think the Anna Kournakova comparison is spot on.

1. Even with all you point out being true why be mad at LoLo?
2. How can an American record holder who has won many, many events be compared to Anna K?

1. I'm not mad at Lolo. But I can understand the resentment. Let's face it. Sports is full of jealousy. Contracts are based on what their peers make. Lebron wants a bigger contract that Kobe and vice versa. Everytime there is a new face that explodes on the scene of a sport, there is jealousy amongst the old guard. Tiger Woods went through it. Endured racial comments from fellow golfers. Stephen Strasburg is going through it. People questioning his toughness. etc. It's the nature of the beast.

2. How many medals has Lolo won? Unfortunately, that's what Olympic athletes are measured by. Going into the Olympics, everyone was fawning over the women's gymnastics team. Calling them the best ever. The Fab Five (trademarked). The Fierce Five, etc. They won a team medal. But they faltered some in the indivudual events. No one is calling Gabby Douglas the best gymast ever now. Not after failing to medal. Jordyn Weaver was the American champ and didn't make it to the individual competition. Didn't win an indivudal medal either. Ask her and gymastic insiders if they feel like her Olympics were a success. Probably not.

Olympic athletes are judged on how many medals they win. Sometimes you get the rare time such as the Derrick Redmonds and Pistorious' that make you remember what the Olympics are supposed to be about. But be sure to listen the next time Michael Phelps or Usain Bolt are introduced to a crowd. They aren't introduced as "World Record Holder" or "American/Jamacian trials winner" or even "World Record Holder." They are introduced as "Olympic Champion" or xx-time gold medalist.

That's just the nature of the beast.

But you can't be surprised at the behavior of Harper and Wells. Most Olympians who compete in individual sports have some primma donna in them. Watch gymnastics and look at the death stare McKayla Maroney gave the gold medal winner after she landed on her butt on the vault. Or the Russian gymnast who shook off her coach after a less than good routine.

I had to look up who she was, after that I don't get it.

How many medals does she have in her lifetime? Not gold medals...medals period.

She's celebrated like she's the greatest and has nothing substantial to back it up. Sure she has the American record but ask Michael Phelps and Usain Bolt if there is anything more important than medals. I get it. She's a beautiful woman but until she wins some Olympic medals the the title of 'Anna Kournikova of Track' is spot on.


My favorite tweet about Lolo.....@NOTSportsCenter: Lolo Jones gets 4th in 100m hurdles. Apparently Lolo is also saving her Olympic medal wins for marriage. #Olympics @NOTSCOlympics

Women's athletic endorsements are driven by looks then great success in something popular.

Lolo has the looks......the other two, while not 5's, they are not 10's either and are successful in a sport that is......

Trying to equate Olympic medals to Anna K is asinine.

You get one chance every four years to win a medal. AK has 30 matches EVERY year to win.

Originally Posted by PurplePride92

How many medals does she have in her lifetime? Not gold medals...medals period.

She's celebrated like she's the greatest and has nothing substantial to back it up. Sure she has the American record but ask Michael Phelps and Usain Bolt if there is anything more important than medals. I get it. She's a beautiful woman but until she wins some Olympic medals the the title of 'Anna Kournikova of Track' is spot on.


My favorite tweet about Lolo.....@NOTSportsCenter: Lolo Jones gets 4th in 100m hurdles. Apparently Lolo is also saving her Olympic medal wins for marriage. #Olympics @NOTSCOlympics

Again, why be mad at LoLo for the attention she receives? Isn't your displeasure with coverage 100% misplaced?

Originally Posted by Clyde

Trying to equate Olympic medals to Anna K is asinine.

You get one chance every four years to win a medal. AK has 30 matches EVERY year to win.

So is Lolo's media attention the result of her athletic ability and results or her looks?

Anna K comparison is way off. A) Anna was known way more as a sex symbol than Lolo is or ever will be and B) Anna didn't win ANYTHING!

Originally Posted by The Scribe

So is Lolo's media attention the result of her athletic ability and results or her looks?

Both. She gets attention because of her athletic ability but it's magnified because of her looks and to a lesser extent, story.