LoloWiki

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