Official Results - Women - 100 Metres Hurdles - Wind : -0.2 m/s
Pos Athlete Nat Mark Pts
1 LoLo Jones USA 12.56 20
2 Josephine Onyia ESP 12.62 16
3 Sally McLellan AUS 12.63 14
4 Delloreen Ennis-London JAM 12.68 12
5 Susanna Kallur SWE 12.71 10
6 Dawn Harper USA 12.73 8
7 Priscilla Lopes-Schliep CAN 12.90 6
8 Brigitte Foster-Hylton JAM 13.17 4
9 Sarah Claxton
Hurdler Lolo Jones tells WH all about her Olympic dreams, the video game she can't resist, and the quote that keeps her going every day
By Amy Van Deusen
What are your goals for the Olympics?
The ultimate dream requires the ultimate goal. Would you like me to say silver? Because I can guarantee that if I say silver I’ll probably end up with the bronze. So gold is a good color.
What's a normal training day for you?
This is a really hard question for me to answer. My coach (Dennis Shaver) works in cycles so depending on what part of the year it is, it can really fluctuate. In the fall we do longer tempo stuff, where we include Pilates-type exercises. Then in the spring we begin to concentrate more on our sprinting so we move away from running on the grass to running on the track. We lift weights every day except Sunday and Friday.
Are there eating rules that you follow?
I am training at such a high level that I actually could eat anything and get by. But as my coach always says, your body is like a car, and food is like your fuel. I am a race car so I can’t just put unleaded fuel in my car. I need that good premium fuel.
Tell us the five foods that you couldn't live without.
Crawfish. Dark chocolate. Baby carrots and dip. Steak. Fruit.
Do you have any guilty pleasure foods?
I usually treat myself to wings once a week. In the off-season I want to go for the record of eating 70 super spicy wings.
How do you keep yourself going on tough days?
I count my blessings. This job can be rough: the non-stop travel, the challenging workouts. I turn the negatives to positive.
So I live out of a bag? I turn that around by saying, I also get to see countries that people dream about.
So I have to run a long workout? I think well, I get paid to work out and keep a nice body.
I am also a big fan of this quote by Frederick Douglass, “If there is no struggle, there is no progress."
What do you do to cope with stress?
I listen to a lot of Christian music, and reading my Bible calms me down immensely. But when I'm standing in a stadium packed with 80,000 screaming fans, I can’t just whip out my Bible before I run. That’s when I start praying! It's so loud that I can’t even hear what I'm saying, but it always helps.
You were a track star at LSU. What made you decide to keep going after you graduated?
I did not want to quit on my dream just yet. I didn't have a big-time contract out of college like most athletes. In fact I had no contract at all. When I didn't make my first Olympic team in 2004 I was crushed. I had my college degree and knew I could make a decent living with that, but I chose to work part-time jobs so that I could train. I didn't give up because I didn't want my dream to stay a dream. I wanted it to be reality.
Will you continue after the Olympics?
Yes. Most hurdlers peak from the ages of 28 to 33. I'm only 25. Even the great American hero Allen Johnson is still running strong at 35!
What's your favorite part of being a hurdler?
The rhythm I achieve when I am running so fast that I can no longer see the hurdles, but only feel them.
Your least favorite part?
When I fall. It happens to the best of us. Not only is it hard to get off the track that day, it's even harder not to have a little anxiety for your next race.
If you could choose an Olympic sport other than any track and field events, which would you pick?
I love gymnastics. I am too tall to be a gymnast but that won’t stop me from cheering for my fellow American and Iowan Shawn Johnson.
Do you ever get a chance to relax? What do you do?
It's quite embarrassing but I love a game of Dance Dance Revolution. And it’s a good workout. I also enjoy rock climbing, and buying a new book at the bookstore.
We have an ongoing discussion with readers about their favorite body part. What's your favorite part of your body? My legs. They make all my money! They are the most valuable part and I work hard for them to look and run good.
What's the one piece of clothing you live in?
Tank tops. They are easy to pack.
If you could go on a date with any celebrity, who would it be?
Actually this question is quite hard to answer, because there are just too few. Everyone I think of is either married or has just come out of rehab. So if you guys wanna set me up on a blind date, check for those two requirements first and then make it happen! I am single!
Source: Women's Health
Lolo Jones from the U.S. celebrates after she won the 100 meters hurdles competition during the IAAF "Weltklasse Zurich" Golden League meeting at the Letzigrund stadium in Zurich, Switzerland on Friday, Aug. 29, 2008.
Lolo Jones, of the U.S., 100 meter hurdles athlete, talks, during a press conference ahead of the track and field meeting 'Weltklasse in Zuerich', in Zurich, Switzerland, Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2008.
Media Talk in Zürich (in Swiss dialect):
World Indoor champion Lolo Jones reflects on her Olympic 100m Hurdles final and looks forward to the end of the Grand Prix season.
“Hi again,
“Okay, so we’ll get the hard part out of the way first. Everyone has been asking what went wrong? Why did I trip over hurdle nine when leading the Olympic final?
“Well, the simple answer is I just don’t have one. It is the hurdles. Stuff happens. Lots of people have been trying to put words in my mouth into why I tripped but I can’t give a clear explanation.
“All I can say is that I felt fantastic going into the final. I was so focused. Everything seemed to click in the middle of the race but those hurdles always approach quicker and quicker and you can either slow down and break or keep turning your legs over. I turned my legs over and tripped over hurdle nine.
“It is strange. I could have played it safe and just tried to win a medal, but that is what I thought in Osaka and ended up missing out and finishing sixth.
“No, I said to myself it is important and run well, run as fast as I ever have done and put on a good show for the crowd.
“It’s funny that after reflecting on what happened I feel I achieved a number of my goals. I ran a lifetime best of 12.43 in the semi-finals and I was leading the race – until at least hurdle nine.
“I also have to put the performance in perspective. Four years ago I sat watching the women’s 100m hurdles final in tears after I failed to qualify through the Olympic Trials. Now here I was crying on the track after failing to win the gold medal.
“Of course, I guess all I wanted to do was run off the track and talk to my family after the race but I had a duty to front up to the media and talk to the press guys. They had shown an interest in me during the rounds when I was the fastest it was only fair I explained myself to them as best I could.
“As you can imagine I found it hard to sleep that night. I hung out with Angela Whyte the Canadian hurdler and we played basketball in the international zone until 4.30pm in the morning. We tried to score hoops and Angela won. I joked with her ‘Damn, I can’t even win a game of basketball.’ I don’t think I got to sleep until 7.30am.
“I’ve been overwhelmed with the response from people who sent me texts and emails offering their support. That last few days have been a bit rough and I truly thank them all. But it is no use looking back, I have to look forward.
“I plan to run as many races as I can in Europe starting with Zurich (on Aug 27) and I’m using Susanna Kallur as my inspiration. Susanna went into last year’s World Championships in Osaka expected to medal, but she finished fourth. She bounced back by running as well as she ever had done at the back of the season and carried that roll on into the indoor season. I hope to do the same.
“I’m certainly not giving up and my next big goal is the 2012 Olympics in London, which has a bit of a ring to it. Lolo Jones London that has three Lo’s in it. Yes, that sounds good!”
Lolo
A few weeks back, I was reading the Des Moines Register and the story of Olympic Athlete, Lolo Jones caught my eye. Lolo had won money in the Olympic trials and instead of using it for herself as many people her age would, she decided to donate it to a single mother who had been victim to the floods in Iowa. Now there are often times when athletes donate their money, but when the news described her genuine empathy for the woman as they embraced and shed tears together, I knew I was truly seeing the actions of a true star.
Needless to say, her story hooked me and I couldn't wait to watch her in the Olympics. There were several times Lolo stood out amongst the pack as a class act. First, in Olympic interviews, she always credited everyone else as the reason for her success and thanked those deserving. Second, she praised the talents of the other athletes. Third, she had a glow about her that showed her true love of her sport and awe for the fact she was at the Olympics. And fourth, she was just damn fast.
In her prelims, she smoked past the pack to an easy victory to qualify her for the finals. Unlike Dawn Harper, another US hurdler, when Lolo came off of the track, she did not gloat; she simply mentioned loving the sport and being grateful for the chance to participate. She was also quick to congratulate others and offer a winning smile. Comparing the two runners side-by-side made me appreciate one and feel a certain distaste for the other.
Then came the finals. Lolo had an amazing start and it was apparent she was going to be the easy victor. But then came that ninth hurdle. Lolo came up too fast on it, hit it with her heel, and threw her stride for the rest of the race. She did finish in 7th place, but dropped to her knees in dismay and incredulity at the finish line. My heart went out to her not just because of the fact she lost but because she had shown strength and quality in character long before taking her place at the starting line.
I believe the true test of an athlete is not just in the skill she shows, but in the feeling she inspires in those who watch her.
Dawn Harper may have won the gold, but Lolo Jones is the one with the true gold in my book.
Source: AC
hpc loves lolo!
I want to give a quick shout out to our girl Lolo Jones! We are so proud of her accomplishments and efforts. She is a star athlete with a heart that shines even brighter. These Olympic games have magnified her life of integrity and spirit of generosity.
So many friends of mine have been hooked on the games this year! So many great athletes and great competition. All I’m sayin’ is watch out Phelps! I have begun my training for the swim team. I’ll see you in London in 2012!
Source: dinorizzo.com
Born: August 05, 1982 in Des Moines, IA
Hometown: Des Moines, IA
Residence: Baton Rouge, LA
Ht: / Wt: 5'9" / 150 lbs
Olympics: None
Event(s): 100m hurdles
Bad break in Beijing
Making her Olympic debut, Lolo Jones cruised through the early rounds of the women's 100m hurdles and entered the final as the likely gold medalist. She had the field beaten after eight hurdles but caught her front foot on the penultimate barrier, lost momentum and finished seventh. Of the heartbreak, she said in good spirits, "I usually hit a hurdle maybe twice a year. It just sucks that it happened in the most important race of my life."
Beijing bound
At the 2008 Olympic Trials, Jones was astounding in the 100m hurdles final, executing flawlessly and winning in a wind-aided 12.29 seconds (the wind reading was +3.8 meters per second), tying the No. 2 time ever run under any conditions. In the semifinals, Jones posted a 2008 world-leading mark by winning the second heat in a wind-legal 12.45. Jones is a two-time U.S. Indoor and three-time NCAA champion.
Impressive indoors
Jones capped a stellar indoor season by winning her first world championship in the 60m hurdles with a time of 7.80 seconds. Jones also won her second straight U.S. indoor championship, with a strong finish over the final two hurdles earned her a winning time of 7.88, the Visa Series Championship and the accompanying $25,000 prize. Upon securing the Visa win, Jones broke out into a dance on the track at the Reggie Lewis Center in Boston.
First impressions
After winning the 2007 U.S. Indoor title in the 60m hurdles, Jones made her first national team by finishing third in the 100m hurdles at the U.S. Outdoor Championships. She went on to qualify for the final and placed sixth at the World Championships in Osaka, running a time of 12.88.
Terrific Tiger
A graduate of LSU, Jones brings impressive foot speed to the 100m hurdles. She 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 also has an NCAA title as part of LSU's 4x100m relay in 2004.
Scholastic success
In high school, Jones was named the Gatorade Midwest Athlete of the Year, and holds the 100m hurdles record for the state of Iowa at 13.40 seconds. Jones is of French, African-American, Native American and Norwegian descent.
What's in her name?
Jones and her mother share the same given name: Lori Susan Jones. The legend of Lolo (according to Lolo) is that the phone-answering confusion of "Can I speak to Lori?" led to the clarification "Big Lori or Little Lori?" and "Little Lori"was eventually shortened to "Lolo." According to Big Lori, however, the family called the child Lolo from birth.
Straight from the source: There will be no horse
In the weeks leading up to the 2008 Olympics, an Associated Press story reported that Jones would run a race against a horse. The story was even supported by quotes from her attorney. But at a press conference in Beijing, Jones called the story a misunderstanding, saying people misinterpreted television advertisements she did with a horse for a casino sponsor. "I said things in the commercial like, 'He's fast, but can he hurdle?'" Jones said. "If you look on YouTube, you can probably find video of me talking all big to a horse." (Note: You cannot.)
Source: NBC
Lolo Jones, the favorite in the 100 meter hurdles, talks about hitting the 9th of 10 hurdles and finishing out of contention. (Aug. 20)
BEIJING -– When she failed to make the 2004 Olympic team after being eliminated in the semifinals at the U.S. trials, hurdler Lolo Jones came to a crossroads.
One way would take her toward a job that used her economics degree from LSU, which made more sense financially for a young woman whose family had struggled through poverty.
The other was to continue in track without the help of an apparel sponsor to defray her expenses. Jones, a former prep star in Des Moines, kept running, slowly got better and better, signed a nice deal with Asics and became the fastest hurdler in the world coming into the Olympics.
Less than 20 meters from an Olympic gold medal Tuesday, in a 100-meter high hurdles race she was commanding, Jones literally ran into another frustration.
This time, Jones is looking only at the same path she has been on, hoping it will take her to London for the 2012 Olympics.
"As a hurdler, you don’t normally peak until 28 to 33, and I'm 26,'' Jones said. "I definitely have another Olympics in me.
"You know, it's the hurdles. We're supposed to be the toughest ones. So I'm going to be tough and try again.''
Ironically, what happened may have been a case of Jones getting ahead of herself.
After a slow start, Jones began rolling so well she took an ever-increasing lead but the 33-inch hurdles began coming up on her too fast. She had lost control of her steps by the time she reached the ninth hurdle and smacked into it with her lead leg.
"I didn't have the best start but in the middle I caught everybody and I was catching my rhythm but everything was going too fast,'' she said.
"It's like when you're racing a car, and you're going as fast as you can, and you hit a curve, and either you crash and burn or you maintain control. I crashed and burned today.''
The barrier fell. Jones stumbled but stayed upright as her rivals flew past, leaving her seventh at the finish.
It was then she fell to her knees, clenched her fists in anger as she struggled to comprehend what had happened and finally covered her face with her hands.
"I was shocked. My mind was numb,'' she said. "I worked so hard for this, and it disappeared in less than a second.
"All I could think of was just getting back on my two feet and standing strong.''
Jones did that as she passed through the media interview area, talking for several minutes with a large group of reporters, graciously stopping again to speak with a few others who could not get close enough to hear her.
Her eyes were moist, but she made no excuses, had no complaints, simply explained her misfortune by getting to the essence of the event.
"It's the hurdles,'' she repeated. "If you can't get over all 10, you can't be the champion.''
I disagree.
A champion is the class of the field.
No one in these Olympics has shown any more class than Lolo Jones.
Source: The Los Angeles Times
By Pat Curtis
Iowa native Lolo Jones will compete in the finals of the Olympic 100-meter hurdles today. The 26 year old Des Moines Roosevelt grad might not have made it there, if not for the generosity of other Iowans.
For example, Marilyn Hauk of Des Moines and her former husband gave Lolo a place to live when she was a junior in high school. At the time, Jones was being recruited by college track coaches across the country and her mother was moving to Forest City.
"Part of the reason we wanted to take her in is that we knew Lolo had the potential to be where she is today," Hauk explained. "We also knew that taking her out of her school and away from her coaches could ruin any chance she would ever have of utilizing that potential."
Hauk says they barely knew Lolo at the time. She was on the Des Moines Area Youth Track Club, as was Hauk's then 10 year old son. Hauk admits it was a "risk" taking a 17 year old girl into their home. "But at the same time, looking at a teenager who's whole life was on the line, we decided it would be a bigger risk to do nothing," Hauk said.
Hauk's quick to point out that Jean and Kim Walker, and later Janice Caldwell, would also welcome Lolo into their homes. A Des Moines orthodontist, Dr. Dennis Kommer, reduced the cost of braces for Lolo and attorney Dwight James handled paperwork, free of charge, to make sure she was covered under Hauk's health insurance.
As Hauk says, "Central Iowans deserve a pat on the back. It was their kindness that helped Lolo get to Beijing." Hauk says Jones hasn't forgotten her Iowa roots. Recently, Jones donated $12,000 to flood victims in Cedar Rapids.
Jones' success on the track this year almost didn't happen. After missing the cut for the 2004 U.S. Olympic team, Jones considered quitting track, since she wasn't making much money in the sport. Jones has degrees in both economics and Spanish from Louisiana State University, where she received a full ride scholarship to run track.
"She's fully qualified to have done anything she wanted to do," Hauk said. "But she followed her heart...this is what she wanted to do. I'm so glad for her that it's paying off." Jones is hoping her hard work will pay off in the form of a gold medal today in Beijing. She posted the fastest time, at 12.43 seconds, in Monday's semifinals.
special note: The 9:30 a.m. (Iowa time) race will not be televised live...however, it will be broadcast by NBC during it's prime-time coverage tonight between 7-9 p.m.
Listen to a short interview here.
Source: Radio Iowa
United States' LoLo Jones reacts after winning a women's 100-meter hurdles semi-final during the athletics competitions in the National Stadium at the Beijing 2008 Olympics in Beijing, Monday, Aug. 18, 2008.
