American media shoves Lolo Jones down our throats

[SevenOf Nine]

or maybe Lolo is just using the track and field career as a platform to do other things. There is a saying that the ones who don't have the talent or abilities often use other things to market themselves. Not to say that Lolo is not talented she has gone this far and is an elite athlete so I am not going to take anything away from her but she has been inconsisent and her careers expentacy is smilar to that of a gymnast there is a possibilty that this will be her last Olympics especially that she has been plagued by a spinal injury .The media like anything else lives to get a story she is just making the most off of her 15 minutes of fame she has been a open book for herself which the media is attracted too unlike Allyson and Carmelita who choose to keep their lives very private.She probably knows deep down that all these commericals, being on primetime, posing nude, etc is not going to last forever.Making any medal will be good for her in the level she is in. Most track and field athletes live and breathe that sport like Dawn Harper but Lolo probably knows that she does not have the luxury to do this for another four years. Getting herself out there so she becomes irresistable to sponsors and may use this to find other forms of work for herself.

[SevenOf Nine]

So what if somehow the Beijing scenario happens again, and somehow she has a sizable margin on the field and she hits the 9th or 10th hurdle?
Do you think the media will have a field day(by day I mean another 4 years) or will they just say oh well.

This is possibly Lolo's last chance for redemption because with the spinal injury she has her career expetenacy is shorter then most. The media has pushed her so much where she is the Olympic darling of the Team USA and after this there is no where else she could go.

[SevenOf Nine]

The media is not shoving anything down your throat. Change your channel, look away, or cover your ears. People on this board are becoming even more cattier than high school girls. I can only imagine how you guys would have acted if she didn't make the team.

If you look at it logicaly and objectively, the question would have to be asked, why in a sport that's begging for its superlative persons to be highlighted, is an average athlete being constatntly pushed by the meda especially when there were WR performances registered in a meet where Jones (average) was a mere third place finisher?

...Then the valley high girl vibe wouldn't be an issue. As a matter of fact the mere package in which Jones is presented as an ambassador of the sport is in the "cattier than thou" format...

Exactly one of the things about Track and Field that they can always take pride in was them respecting who wins but Lolo has been inconsistent. I am more drawn to Carmelita's story because she has a chance of reviving the 100mW sprint in USA that used to be the big monster as far as the women go but has been tainted due to Jones scandal. She worked hard, she is 32 years old and this could be her only Olympics and she is more of an underdog then Lolo.

Lolo is not exactly an underdog because she got the hype, praise, favortisim and she was getting there but she just screwed up.

[GDAWG]

So what if somehow the Beijing scenario happens again, and somehow she has a sizable margin on the field and she hits the 9th or 10th hurdle?
Do you think the media will have a field day(by day I mean another 4 years) or will they just say oh well.

On the Women's side, they will move on to the Big Two, Allyson Felix and Sanya Richards-Ross, although I would not be surprised if for some reason, Lashinda Demus, Brittney Reese and Chaunte Lowe get more notice if they win gold medals in London. In fact, if she wins gold in London, Demus could get a lot more attention that when Dawn Harper won in the 100 meter hurdles 4 years ago, because Demus would have been one of the favorites and was just fresh off a World Championship. Same with Reese. A gold medal in the Olympics will give Reese some more notice. Whether or not Reese gets more notice if she wins gold than Harper, we'll see. Lowe herself would be a good story for the media to latch onto if she wins gold medal. Lowe has a media friendly personality and is very charismatic. Alysia Montano could also be in there if she too wins gold.

[NotSoOrdinary]

Look No Further Than This:

http://distilleryimage4.s3.amazonaws.co ... 52c0_7.jpg

http://i50.tinypic.com/11vtfr7.jpg

http://i49.tinypic.com/5woer.jpg

http://i47.tinypic.com/72xapi.jpg

http://p.twimg.com/AwWlzP5CIAAckdB.jpg:large

THIS is what's being "shoved down our throats"

Personally I don't really care. I like 2 out of the 3 of them.

[mump boy]

i have absolutely no problem with Lolo doing what she has to do to gain profile and promote herself. I have a major issue with her doing it with no respect, no humility and at the expense of her competitors.

[preston]

This Lolo hate is unbelievable. She's seeing her opportunities and she's taking them. What's wrong with that?

-I remember Dan Jansen being a huge story in speedskating, and though he was a WR holder, he had fallen at 2 olympics and never won gold. What SAVED him was Winter Olympics switching to off years so he only had to wait 2 years. What did he do? He blew it again and then won in his off event
-Michelle Wie
-Kournakova was so far ahead of Lolo in terms of "exposure" that it makes this thread nonsensical to even compare Lolo to a true media darling
-Andre Agassi! BEFORE he started winning, "image was everything"
-David Beckham

And, regardless of how you feel about Lolo Jones from 20 August 2008 to August 2012, in Beijing 4 years ago when she lined up for the 100h final, she was the best 100h in the world and she made a mistake that cost her Olympic Gold. That's compelling. That's a story. AND I'M A DAWN HARPER FAN!

[kamikaze7]

Its the era of reality TV and Lolo is angling for a spot on "dancing with the has beens" or something

[maroon]

Its the era of reality TV and Lolo is angling for a spot on "dancing with the has beens" or something

what's wrong with that?

[maroon]

Anyone who watched her on Leno, did she include her teammates Harper and Wells in the conversation?

not that I saw. don't believe she did.

I'm perfectly fine with her celebration after making the team, which some other posters have criticized. But being on Leno is a conversation that you specifically prepare or get prepared for, so that would have been a good opportunity to show that she really cares about her sport and about her teammates, who finished ahead of her anyway.

why? she was not playing to hardcore track and field fans in that inteview. and why does she have to share the spotlight with dawn and kellie in that specific interview? and since she had to prepare, how do you know that it wasn't the producers who decided what would be interesting and how the interview would go?

[lonewolf]

Producers do pre-interview.. I have had clients scheduled appearance cancelled because they refused to toe the line or take the proffered side of an incident.

[GDAWG]

If Lolo fails again, the media will stop talking about her since this will be her last Olympics. The focus goes back to the Big Two (Allyson Felix and Sanya Richards-Ross) with them asking "can Sanya Richards-Ross and Allyson Felix finally win individual Olympic gold medals?" Like I said earlier, media attention could also go to Demus, Reese, Montano or Lowe. Maybe even Carmelita Jeter.

As for Dawn Harper, it's not really shocking at the lack of attention she's been getting, although a bit surprising. Even though she's an Olympic gold medalist, she needed to medal more. It's why Allyson and Sanya are getting a lot of media attention. Allyson is a three time World Champion gold medalist in the 200 meters. She made up for her failed run in the 200 meter finals in Beijing (where she won silver) with another gold medal. Sanya made up for her failed run in the 400 meter finals from Beijing (where she won the bronze) with a World Championship gold medal in 2009. Dawn failed to repeat her medal success from Beijing in Berlin. She won bronze last year in Daegu. If she medals this year and somehow repeats as gold medalist, it may be hard for the media to ignore her.

[j-a-m]

and why does she have to share the spotlight with dawn and kellie in that specific interview?

She doesn't have to do anything, it would just show respect for her competitors.

[kamikaze7]

Its the era of reality TV and Lolo is angling for a spot on "dancing with the has beens" or something

what's wrong with that?

The show is called "dancing with a has been" she does not qualify for that. She should wait for "dancing with a never was"
All Jox aside , I never said I had a problem with her angling for a spot on a reality show

[SQUACKEE]

The media has almost no interest in Track so they look for an angle or sex to sell to the masses. That's it, nothing sinister about it.

[DrGo]

I find the way that the media tries to make Lolo Jones into this beauty queen sex object disgusting. They always spotlight her, so much so, that they disrespect other hurdlers. When Dawn Harper won the 100 meter hurdles the other day. Many news outlets and sports tickers simply stated "Lolo Jones qualified for the Olympics placing third." Making no mention, what so ever of the ladies who came in first or second. I find this totally disrespectful to Dawn Harper. And it begs the question of if, Dawn Harper needs a lighter skin tone to get some coverage.

It's not just Lolo's skin color. Yes, she is a beauty, but she also has a great deal of personality and her twitter stuff is really funny. It's a combination of things.

If Shelly Ann Fraser were American you can bet she'd be America's sweetheart and she's not light.

[gh]

and why does she have to share the spotlight with dawn and kellie in that specific interview?

She doesn't have to do anything, it would just show respect for her competitors.

she's supposed to go out of her way to promote them when they're showing little/no respect for what she's doing for herself?

[asindc]

I find the way that the media tries to make Lolo Jones into this beauty queen sex object disgusting. They always spotlight her, so much so, that they disrespect other hurdlers. When Dawn Harper won the 100 meter hurdles the other day. Many news outlets and sports tickers simply stated "Lolo Jones qualified for the Olympics placing third." Making no mention, what so ever of the ladies who came in first or second. I find this totally disrespectful to Dawn Harper. And it begs the question of if, Dawn Harper needs a lighter skin tone to get some coverage.

It's not just Lolo's skin color. Yes, she is a beauty, but she also has a great deal of personality and her twitter stuff is really funny. It's a combination of things.

If Shelly Ann Fraser were American you can bet she'd be America's sweetheart and she's not light.

I agree, and will add that when Lauryn Williams was running well the American media gravitated towards her as well.

[GDAWG]

I find the way that the media tries to make Lolo Jones into this beauty queen sex object disgusting. They always spotlight her, so much so, that they disrespect other hurdlers. When Dawn Harper won the 100 meter hurdles the other day. Many news outlets and sports tickers simply stated "Lolo Jones qualified for the Olympics placing third." Making no mention, what so ever of the ladies who came in first or second. I find this totally disrespectful to Dawn Harper. And it begs the question of if, Dawn Harper needs a lighter skin tone to get some coverage.

It's not just Lolo's skin color. Yes, she is a beauty, but she also has a great deal of personality and her twitter stuff is really funny. It's a combination of things.

If Shelly Ann Fraser were American you can bet she'd be America's sweetheart and she's not light.

Exactly. I think that Alysia Montano and/or Chaunte Lowe would be the darlings of the American media if they win gold in London, especially with the way Alysia conducted her post race interviews on NBC Sports and Flotrack. She's seen as very personable. Chaunte is also very personable and very energetic. They would be the types that the media would enjoy talking too.

The media also hypes up the big two of Sanya Richards-Ross and Allyson Felix. Both will be the main stories of NBC's Olympic coverage of track and field this summer in London. Both could be the main faces of USA Track and Field (at least on the Women's side) all the way to Rio 2016 if they win individual gold medals (if they return of course). They will be the ones who the media will ask if they can successfully defend their Olympic gold medals and likely would be the last Olympics for both (Rio, not London).

[J2thaD]

I find the way that the media tries to make Lolo Jones into this beauty queen sex object disgusting. They always spotlight her, so much so, that they disrespect other hurdlers. When Dawn Harper won the 100 meter hurdles the other day. Many news outlets and sports tickers simply stated "Lolo Jones qualified for the Olympics placing third." Making no mention, what so ever of the ladies who came in first or second. I find this totally disrespectful to Dawn Harper. And it begs the question of if, Dawn Harper needs a lighter skin tone to get some coverage.

It's not just Lolo's skin color. Yes, she is a beauty, but she also has a great deal of personality and her twitter stuff is really funny. It's a combination of things.

If Shelly Ann Fraser were American you can bet she'd be America's sweetheart and she's not light.

As far as her looks, to each their own. As far as her tweets? Is it funny, catty, or ...?

"Lolo Jones
‏@lolojones

Follow
carmelita jeter ran so fast im surprised her fake eyelashes didnt blow off . ‪#preclassic‬ ‪#nbc‬ "

If another female track athlete tweeted that Lolo's rear end is so flat, it is two dimensional. Would that be funny? Catty? or?

[lonewolf]

I would say the perception of "roast" type remarks about another athlete would depend their personal relationship..and I don't think we know what that is..

[Riff80]

I just want to say that Kellie Wells story reads like a life-script made for a movie. Now please do not compare one story to the other. Those of you that do not know about Wells story you can get a good read on it here: http://espn.go.com/espnw/journeys-victo ... llie-wells but if you want to read and here her talk about it in more detail, then check out her blog: http://www.kellie-wells.com/blog/

[lonewolf]

Ms Wells has a compelling life story that I was not aware of. I suspect many of the athletes have touching histories but, as you say, we cannot award medals on the basis of comparative backgrounds.
That some of them have more "something" and get th e attention is just life's unfairness.

[Marlow]

If another female track athlete tweeted that Lolo's rear end is so flat, it is two dimensional. Would that be funny? Catty? or?

Funny, altho I totally don't get that, cuz I think her physique is extremely attractive. My wife agrees!

[mal]

If another female track athlete tweeted that Lolo's rear end is so flat, it is two dimensional. Would that be funny? Catty? or?

Funny, altho I totally don't get that, cuz I think her physique is extremely attractive. My wife agrees!

If she was as shaded as Maria Mutuolo no one would watch her. Sad commentary

[nunusguy]

If another female track athlete tweeted that Lolo's rear end is so flat, it is two dimensional. Would that be funny? Catty? or?

Funny, altho I totally don't get that, cuz I think her physique is extremely attractive. My wife agrees!

I'll take Serena over Lolo everytime: how come she didn't want to play tennis for us this summer in England, I regret she won't be getting all of that TV coverage.

[dukehjsteve]

Big 2 page color spread in front pages of new SI of.... you guessed it.......

[cladthin]

While some obviously feel she does not deserve the degree of attention she's receiving, at least the sport is getting some attention. If they were not covering LJ ad nauseum, it's unlikely they would feel the need to divert their attention to some other track and field athlete-they'd likely ignore the sport altogether which is the typical amount/quality of coverage by the popular media. As long as the reason they are covering her so much is not related to some negative issue, it's good coverage in my mind.

[mcgato]

If another female track athlete tweeted that Lolo's rear end is so flat, it is two dimensional. Would that be funny? Catty? or?

I occasionally look at Lolo's twitter feed because I find it occasionally amusing. Before she had her back surgery, she posted something about writing on her chest to operate on the other side. (For those who miss the obvious, she was joking that someone could mistake her chest for her back.) I wouldn't doubt that she has also joked about her rear end.

I think that I've read something that she has no interest in dancing with the stars because she is a horrible dancer. I'm sure that the right amount of money could persuade her otherwise.

[vip]

To summarize: Lolo is a self promoter, but that isn't so bad considering she competes in a dying sport that could use any attention it can get. And the attention Lolo's getting is mostly fun and harmless. She's wise about the ways of the new media age and the media loves her back. No harm, no foul, no big deal.

As for Dawn Harper, she's a champion and a terrific personality whose life story, while interesting, doesn't move the media needle as much as Lolo. That doesn't mean no one respects her; actually, she has much respect inside the track world. It just means she doesn't have "it" when it comes to the public's whims and the mainstream media, not like Lolo. Plus, to anyone's knowledge, she doesn't openly court the media and public like Lolo. That is her choice. To repeat, a lack of attention doesn't mean a lack of respect.

OK. Can we move on, or is there more Lolo hate to generate? Believe me, both ladies are good people, neither deserving of scorn or disrespect. Can we all agree on that?

[JRM]

Note also Lolo Jones is a very catchy and easy-to-remember name, much in the same spirit as Apollo Ohno, Misty-May Treanor, Picabo Street, etc... Makes for good marketing.

[TrackDaddy]

Tonight Show is NBC, which is the Olympic channel. Lolo was in LA for a commercial for some sponsor, so a spot on the NBC Leno show was a no brainer.

Actually Olympic trials Champion and defending gold medalist Dawn Harper appearing would've been a no brainer.

An appearance on Leno for getting 3rd place at trials, no medal in 2008 and being someone who's really never won anything...is a brainer.

Mine still hurts trying to figure it out.

TD, I wouldn't go there if I were you. Admittedly, Sanya has accomplished more than Lolo, but I think most folks on this board would agree with me that Sanya has a celebrity-accomplishment gap her ownself. Her gap may not be as big as Lolo's, but she does have a gap.

Huh? Are you kidding? Are you comparing Sanya's American celebrity status to LOLO's?!?

Gap? Puhleeze....let me fill it for you...

HS record holder,
collegiate record holder,
American record holder,
US champion,
World champion,
World Silver Medalist,
Olympic Bronze medalist,
Olympic gold medalist relay(3 times) (ran anchor from 5m behind to win gold in Beijing thereby EARNING her visit on Leno).
World Athlete of the year...not once but TWICE (only athlete in HISTORY to do it).

I could go on but will stop here.

You were saying?

[TrackDaddy]

And, regardless of how you feel about Lolo Jones from 20 August 2008 to August 2012, in Beijing 4 years ago when she lined up for the 100h final, she was the best 100h in the world and she made a mistake that cost her Olympic Gold. That's compelling. That's a story. AND I'M A DAWN HARPER FAN!

I hope no one "hates" Lolo, I for one sure don't.

As for 2008, the best hurdler in the world? How about the favorite in Beijing due to her form at the time.

See...Dawn Harper DOMINATED the circuit following her win in Beijing.

Check the record.

[vip]

TD, I think you're confusing TV appearances with respect. They're not mutual. You know what respect is? Gold medals and money and props from your peers. Everything else is secondary. Everything else factors in other "stuff" like looks, personality, humor, etc. Lolo has all that. And she's not exactly a stiff on the hurdles, either.

And while I do agree SRR has a sterling record, she's never won an Olympic individual gold, yet is clearly a darling of NBC; you can't watch a track telecast without hearing about Sanya and her football husband. But do I complain? No, because that's how the media works. She's an easy angle.

Just like Lolo.

[lonewolf]

The non-track public does not know (or care) about the relative track credential of athletes.. they do know an attractive, personable, outgoing person when they see one..and they see one in Lolo... the media is an equal opportunity exploiter..