Lolo Jones didn't win gold, but she did show unimaginable grace and class despite crushing disappointment. Many of you have asked how you can write to Lolo.
Just leave a note in the feedback here, and I'll personally forward all your thoughts and comments to Lolo at the end of the week.
It doesn't take gold to make us proud.
Keith
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Watching the Olympics this year certainly has had it's emotional highs and lows. I always have extreme pride and admiration for those atlethes who have worked so hard to get to the Olympics and have their moment to shine. Even if they don't win the gold, they still have a chance to shine, and perhaps even more so. I find that it's in the moments of defeat and dissapointment that one's true character shows through. Whether it be Shawn Johnson who showed such poise and humility when she won the gold, showed the same poise as she watched her teammate take the all around gold medal and she the silver . Or LoLo Jones who wanted so much to inspire people as an Olympic champion, now vows to inspire us in overcoming the hurdles in our life that may trip us up.
I'm just so thankful that we have the opportunity to see people not only with great athletic ability, but great character representing our country and our state. I think that is more important to me than adding another gold to the medal count any day.
Sorry.
Shannon in Oskaloosa
LoLo -
Whether you placed 1st or last in your race, we still consider you a gold medalist. You don't have to wear a gold medal around your neck to be considered a "champion." You handled yourself with dignity and grace, and remained true to yourself under some pretty bad circumstances.
I am so proud of my state for producing athletes like you. You are real, LoLo. Stay that way.
Jenni
De Soto, Iowa
It's a very rare thing you did Lo Lo...you somehow proved that you're a champion by NOT winning! In your lowest moment, you managed to stand tall, and THAT is what the Olympics are supposed to be about and I couldn't have been more proud of you even if you had won!
Thank you for letting us all take this amazing ride with you.
Lolo:
You said you wanted to win the gold so you could be an inspiration to others-you already are. Thanks for everything.
Lolo,
My heart continues to ache for you. I just felt sick all day and wanted someone to yell "do over!" But that's not how it works. You have had to work so hard for everything you've achieved. It would be so easy for you to give up at any time, and you never did. You are such an inspiration to everyone out there. Your smile, and your energy is contagious. Thanks for taking us on this terrific ride with you. I look forward to seeing you at the Relays, and I look forward to seeing you in London. You are an example that we can ALL learn from...not matter our age or sex. God Bless you, Lolo. Iowa loves you!!
LoLo you are a class act. I am so proud of how you represented Iowa and the USA. You are an inspiration to us all.
I cannot imagine a better role model for my young girls than Lolo Jones.
Thank you for training, performing and living like a champion.
We are bursting with pride for Lolo!
Lolo, you ARE a champion. No Gold medal could ever be enough of a reward for someone who absolutely epitomizes class, grace and professionalism like you have.
The inspiration that you are to each and every one of us is unparalleled.
You taught every person who saw you that quitting is never an option and that there is always a way to move forward.
I cannot imagine a better role model for every young person in this country.
Hold your head high girl, you will never be as proud of yourself as we are of you.
As a teacher I am so proud of your dignity and grace. You are a true picture of what outstanding character is is all about. Thank you so much for being a WONDERFUL role model.
By the way Lolo...Shane from Marshalltown IS single and a hottie!! Ok, only half of that is true...so technically he's a partime habitual liar as well...
Chris Hassel gets to eat the Michael Phelps diet??? Why does he get all the good gigs Keith???
You don't need to forward this post to Lolo I just wanted to ask...what race were you all watching?!?!
What I saw was a very poor loser have a childish meltdown in the middle of the track in front of millions of viewers and yell out a particular four letter obscenity. Why such a temper tantrum for the whole world to see?
Yes it was a disappointment after so many years of hard training and high hopes but please, have a little grace why don't you.
Maybe Lolo should look to Shawn Johnson as an example. Sure she was disappointed too - you could see it in her face for only a moment - but then she turned around and hugged her competitors. She continually smiled and supported the other athletes around her regardless of their country.
Come on! Can't we show the world a better class of Iowans than the swearing, poor loser that crashed on that track?
Well hmm, let's see...I watched the race where a hometown girl clipped a hurdle just moments away from a gold medal, had her "oh f**k" moment,then gathered herself, did the interview and carried herself with class despite her Olympic dream being crushed...yeah, that's the one I watched...and Lolo also hugged a competitor...weird, which race did you watch again???
Hey Anonymous @ 8:37 pm,
First off, have the courage to put your name down instead of the cowardly way out.
Secondly, get off your damn high horse, you pompous, arrogant windbag. You complain about Lolo being a "loser", and then the audacity to take her to task for her "lack of class" (can we say hypocrisy?)
You are the one who is a disgrace to the state of Iowa, and the only loser here is you.
Gee Kirk, is that Ferentz or Captain. I guess posting a common first name is legitimate, yet not posting a name is having "lack of courage".
In the future, anytime I meet someone named Kirk, I'm gonna punch them in the neck.
I better start warning people...where's my phone book...
Hey Tony,
In general, I think giving a name when you post something online gives it more legitimacy, especially when you rip apart a world-class athlete who reacted 99.9% the way anyone else would when she saw her gold medal go up in smoke. "Anonymous" means just that, and anyone can go ahead and say anything they want. If you are going to write something so arrogant and mean-spirited, then have the stones to put your name behind it.
By the way, if we were to meet and you tried to punch me in the neck, big mistake. I would rip you in half.
I just dropped the phone book, Kirks of Iowa don't need my help...
Oh..and...we love you Lolo!!! Some more than others apparently...
So by putting the name "Kirk" on an anonymous post makes it legitimate? Hmmmm. BTW, I would split you in half, then my two halves would tag team you and your half into smithereens.
OK people...this is neither the time or the place for any sort of conversation like this. Whatever happened to "if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all!" You were asked to leave words that could be forwarded to Lolo, so if you don't have any, then just move on. I for one couldn't be prouder of her and can't wait for her to come back to Iowa. So, let's play nice around here. She is a class act, and should be treated as such.
Lolo,
Congratulations on being a classy, dignified athlete. My heart broke for you during your race, but the way you handled yourself is pure class. We're very proud of you...
Lisa
Atlanta, GA (Native Iowan)
good job Lolo
Anonymous, you don't own me, I do what I want. Plus your post doesn't hold any legitimacy, cause you put down your first name.
Lolo, I have watched you run since you went to Roosevelt with my neice Julie Baas. You are a winner in every way that is important.
You don't need a medal ro prove that. Good luck in the future.
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