Tearful Lolo: media ripped her for being pretty?

[summer]

todayinlondonblog.today.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/08/08/13179583-tearful-lolo-jones-media-ripped-me-to-shreds-before-race?lite

Nursing a broken heart from a disappointing fourth-place finish in Tuesday’s 100-meter hurdles, an emotional Lolo Jones fired back at her critics on Wednesday.

Jones opened up about a Saturday New York Times piece that compared her to Anna Kournikova, the former tennis pro known more for her good looks than her accomplishments on the court.

“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,’’ Jones told Savannah Guthrie before fighting back tears. “They should be supporting our U.S. Olympic athletes and instead they just ripped me to shreds. I just thought that that was crazy because I worked six days a week, every day, for four years for a 12-second race and the fact that they just tore me apart, which is heartbreaking.

“They didn’t even do their research, calling me the Anna Kournikova of track. I have the American record. I am the American record holder indoors, I have two world indoor titles. Just because I don’t boast about these things, I don’t think I should be ripped apart by media. 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.”

On Tuesday night, Jones tweeted that she had a “broken heart’' after missing an Olympic medal finish by one-tenth of a second. Her disappointment followed her performance in the 2008 Olympics, when she was leading the race and clipped the ninth hurdle to finish eighth. She took no solace that the Tuesday night race was the fastest one in Olympic history, with Australia’s Sally Pearson running an Olympic-record 12.35 seconds to edge American Dawn Harper by two-hundredths of a second to win.

“Definitely, I was crushed afterwards,’’ Jones said. “I know I had the best race of my season. Not the best race of my life, but I had the best race of my year, so I just try to look at that. It doesn’t take away from the pain that I was close to once again having a medal and not getting it.”

Jones tried to find the silver lining in reaching the Olympic finals after several setbacks in the past year.

“I think it’s disappointing in one extreme as in I didn’t get the medal, but in another extreme, a year ago I was having spinal cord surgery,’’ she said. “I mean if I look at that, spinal cord surgery, two hamstring injuries and you fought through all of that, so I take time to focus on that and not the negativity I’ve received.”

Jones has drawn criticism for her openness with the media about everything from her personal life to struggles with injuries. However, she hopes that her story will inspire others to overcome adversity.

“Putting your heart out there, obviously it opens you up to a lot of negativity, but at the same time if I could just reach somebody out there,’’ she said. “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.’’

[wrathofkuus]

I'd be pretty damn insulted if I were compared to someone who was all looks and no talent, too.

[marie427]

I'd be pissed off too. I don't think Anna Kournikova was a talentless hack but Lolo Jones is known as a world-class hurdler while Anna wasn't exactly known as a world-class tennis player.

Based on the thread title I was thinking Lolo had said, "DON'T HATE ME CUZ I'M BEAUTIFUL!!"

[teflep]

::puts suit:: I'd be more mad that my name was Lolo, even if it's a nickname (is it? I have no idea)

[AJL]

Aug 8, 2012 11:19:30 GMT -5 teflep said:

::puts suit:: I'd be more mad that my name was Lolo, even if it's a nickname (is it? I have no idea)

^o) Dude, no.

Her name is Lori. Lolo is a nickname. Your comment isn't better than the media's.

Anyway, why the fuck does our media focus on FEMALE athletes looks rather than their accomplishments? I'm really sick of it.

[charminglife]

Well - if you want people to pay attention to your records and results, stop talking about being a virgin and waiting until marriage and other stuff that has nothing to do with racing. HTH.

[teflep]

Aug 8, 2012 11:22:04 GMT -5 AJL said:

Aug 8, 2012 11:19:30 GMT -5 teflep said:

::puts suit:: I'd be more mad that my name was Lolo, even if it's a nickname (is it? I have no idea)

Dude, no.

Her name is Lori. Lolo is a nickname. Your comment isn't better than the media's.

Anyway, why the fuck does our media focus on FEMALE athletes looks rather than their accomplishments? I'm really sick of it.

I said even if it's a nickname. So raise eyebrow back. Plus, by the by, it was somewhat tic. But, I know it is hard to read tone here. So, f off. I am very aware of how sexism affects females, including athlete fyvm.

[emilyj]

I think she lost the right to be all "boo hoo, the media is mean to me" when she whored herself out to the spotlight as much as she did.

She didn't tout her accomplishments. She posed nude. She put herself out there as a sex object. As the article says "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."

Here's the full NYT article if you want to read it. I have a hard time feeling bad for Lolo right now.

www.nytimes.com/2012/08/05/sports/olympics/olympian-lolo-jones-draws-attention-to-beauty-not-achievement.html?_r=2

[teflep]

She can do what she wants...pose nude, etc as it is her choice. But, I'll wait for mrsajl to scold you too

[marie427]

Re: the article Emily posted.

I figure Lolo got more attention than Dawn Harper and Kellie Wells because of what happened to Lolo in Beijing. Yes, looks may have played a part but I know I was just very interested in how she'd do in London because of her race in Beijing. But I guess that's just me.

The virginity thing was really silly for her to admit though. You knew the media would pounce on that.

[emilyj]

Aug 8, 2012 11:22:04 GMT -5 AJL said:

Anyway, why the fuck does our media focus on FEMALE athletes looks rather than their accomplishments? I'm really sick of it.

Because of long standing notions of hegemonic masculinity. Because of long standing stereotypes that sport is a man's domain. Because female athletes are supposed to be women first, athletes second. Because studies in the past decade have shown that even as women's success on the athletic fields has gone up, their coverage in the media had gone down.

That's why.

Because women like Lolo, who pose nude and put themselves out as sexual objects do nothing but hinder those long held stereotypes.

It's not just Lolo. But I can't take her seriously right now when she's crying over the media not highlighting her athletic accomplishments when she doesn't do it herself. Want to be treated as a successful athlete? Promote yourself as one.

[msmerymac]

After her heat (can't remember if it was the first one or the semi-final) she was a hot mess. She did well and yet she was fighting back tears when talking to the media and talking about how she had so many "haters" and how hurdles are always anyone's game, so you shouldn't bet on it, but she was actually excited and hopeful. But at the same time, she looked like she was going to cry and simultaneously punch someone. It was weird. So... I think she's a little off right now.

[ttt]

I think when you pose for pictures like this:


www.runlolorun.com/sites/default/files/slide-6_0.jpg[/img]


you start to lose some standing to complain about people focusing on your looks.

[AJL]

I did not see those. Yeah...you might have a point there, ttt.

[ttt]

I mean, I don't blame her for posing for those pictures or doing those ads. She's a beautiful woman and has a terrific opportunity to capitalize on both her looks and her incredible athletic talent with her current position in the spotlight. But if you choose to cash in on your looks, then getting criticism of doing so (as well as criticism of your looks) is part of the price you pay.

[AJL]

Aug 8, 2012 11:28:30 GMT -5 teflep said:

She can do what she wants...pose nude, etc as it is her choice. But, I'll wait for mrsajl to scold you too

No, no. I was shown some perspective. Mea culpa, tef!

[dylanite]

Aug 8, 2012 12:15:49 GMT -5 @littlemoxie said:

Aug 8, 2012 11:46:45 GMT -5 ttt said:

I think when you pose for pictures like this:



you start to lose some standing to complain about people focusing on your looks.

That's like complaining of swimmers posing in swimsuits or gymnasts in leotards.

Hey don't use that word. I have a friend named Leo, and he's really retarded.

[heyjude]

There's nothing out of bounds about any of those pics such that she now "deserves" ridicule. ESPN regularly features nude photos of top male and female athletes. And they all look beautiful.

[expatpumpkin]

Aug 8, 2012 11:11:33 GMT -5 wrathofkuus said:

I'd be pretty damn insulted if I were compared to someone who was all looks and no talent, too.

Um, Anna achieved #8 in the world. I'm not sure how good your tennis is, but I'd hardly say she's all looks and no talent.

[dylanite]

Aug 8, 2012 12:30:40 GMT -5 expatpumpkin said:

Aug 8, 2012 11:11:33 GMT -5 wrathofkuus said:

I'd be pretty damn insulted if I were compared to someone who was all looks and no talent, too.

Um, Anna achieved #8 in the world. I'm not sure how good your tennis is, but I'd hardly say she's all looks and no talent.

She was a constant disappointment tho. No one else with her relative talent was nearly that popular. For a reason. This Jones chick is super hot tho, like Anna, but is more talented than Anna was at her prime.

[ChillyMcFreeze]

LM, I don't think anyone is commenting on the picture on the left. They're a side-by-side to show it's the same person.

[heyjude]

You're welcome:
espn.go.com/espn/photos/gallery/_/id/8136693/image/1/carlos-bocanegra-2012-body-issue-bodies-want-espn-magazine

[expatpumpkin]

Aug 8, 2012 12:33:56 GMT -5 dylanite said:

Aug 8, 2012 12:30:40 GMT -5 expatpumpkin said:

Um, Anna achieved #8 in the world. I'm not sure how good your tennis is, but I'd hardly say she's all looks and no talent.

She was a constant disappointment tho. No one else with her relative talent was nearly that popular. For a reason. This Jones chick is super hot tho, like Anna, but is more talented than Anna was at her prime.

Agreed.

And about Lolo's woes, I think she needs a better PR agent

[IIOY]

Aug 8, 2012 12:36:05 GMT -5 heyjude said:

You're welcome:
espn.go.com/espn/photos/gallery/_/id/8136693/image/1/carlos-bocanegra-2012-body-issue-bodies-want-espn-magazine

HOT DAMN.

[ttt]

Aug 8, 2012 12:15:49 GMT -5 @littlemoxie said:

Aug 8, 2012 11:46:45 GMT -5 ttt said:

I think when you pose for pictures like this:



you start to lose some standing to complain about people focusing on your looks.

What's wrong with this picture (the first one)? She is holding a bottle of water and waiving and what she is wearing is totally normal for athletes in her sport. That's like complaining of swimmers posing in swimsuits or gymnasts in leotards.

Oh, nothing's wrong with that one. It was just attached to the same image as the one on the right and I couldn't separate them, sorry.

[ttt]

Also, I'm not criticizing her for posing for those pictures either. That's totally within her rights, and honestly, if I were as hot and as athletic as she is, I'd probably do it too. But, like celebrities who complain about paparazzi following them, you have to realize that criticism comes with the territory.

[emmybean]

Aug 8, 2012 12:51:49 GMT -5 @littlemoxie said:

Aug 8, 2012 12:46:26 GMT -5 IIOY said:

HOT DAMN.

Although for something entitled "Bodies We Want," I'm not sure I'd include someone with no legs, no matter how good the rest of her body is.

Seriously.

[dylanite]

Aug 8, 2012 12:51:49 GMT -5 @littlemoxie said:

Aug 8, 2012 12:46:26 GMT -5 IIOY said:

HOT DAMN.

Although for something entitled "Bodies We Want," I'm not sure I'd include someone with no legs, no matter how good the rest of her body is.

Lol ditto. I laughed just the appropriate amount at that pic.

[IIOY]

Aug 8, 2012 12:51:49 GMT -5 @littlemoxie said:

Aug 8, 2012 12:46:26 GMT -5 IIOY said:

HOT DAMN.

Although for something entitled "Bodies We Want," I'm not sure I'd include someone with no legs, no matter how good the rest of her body is.

I'm on my phone and didn't even realize there were any pictures beyond the first one. Heh.

[heyjude]

It's really hard to look beyond Carlos Bocanegra.