Lolo Jones — Biography

Lori Susan Jones, known universally as Lolo, entered the world on August 5, 1982. She has carved out a distinguished career as both a formidable hurdler and a skilled bobsledder. Her primary focus in track and field has been the sprint hurdles, specifically the 60-meter and 100-meter distances. During her collegiate years at Louisiana State University, she achieved remarkable success, securing three NCAA championships and earning an impressive eleven All-American distinctions. Her dominance in the indoor 60-meter hurdles was evident through her national titles in 2007, 2008, and 2009. This success translated to the international stage, where she captured gold at the World Indoor Championships in 2008 and again in 2010. Transitioning to the bobsled, she demonstrated her versatility and strength by serving as the brakewoman for Kaillie Humphries, a partnership that culminated in a victory at the 2021 IBSF World Championships. The 2008 Beijing Olympics presented a moment of significant anticipation for Jones in the 100-meter hurdles, where she was widely expected to win. However, a stumble on the second-to-last hurdle resulted in a seventh-place finish. Despite this setback, she quickly rebounded, clinching the gold medal at the 2008 World Athletics Final, triumphing over the reigning Olympic champion Dawn Harper with a swift 12.56-second performance. For a period, Jones held the American record in the 60-meter hurdles, posting a time of 7.72 seconds, a mark that stood until 2018 when Kendra Harrison and Sharika Nelvis both lowered it to 7.70 seconds. Beyond her individual accomplishments, Jones also contributes her talent as a brakewoman for the U.S. national bobsled team. Her contributions helped secure a gold medal in the mixed team event at the 2013 World Championships. Her athletic prowess extended to the Winter Olympics, as she represented the United States in 2014, a significant achievement that places her among the elite group of athletes to have participated in both the Summer and Winter Olympic Games. Away from the competitive arena, Jones has also been a familiar face on various reality television programs, including appearances on Dancing with the Stars, Celebrity Big Brother, and The Challenge.