When the U.S. Olympic trials in Eugene, Oregon, began earlier this month, many track and field stars in the men’s and women’s competitions were looking for their first trip to the Games.
On the other hand, many others already know how to represent the United States in the Games, including Lolo Jones, who has made history by just qualifying for the trials at the age of 41.
Jones, a two-time Olympian as a hurdler and a member of the U.S. bobsled team at the 2014 Winter Olympics, knows all about giving it her all for her country. This is one of the reasons why he fought through physical and emotional hardships to make it to Eugene this year.
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Team USA’s Lolo Jones poses for a photo during the Team USA Beijing 2022 Olympics filming on September 12, 2021 in Irvine, California. (Tom Pennington/Getty Images for Team USA)
“I don’t even know how to describe it in words because it’s just an emotion to make the Olympic team, and you represent all the countries at home that will watch you, cheer you on, and you represent them. , ” Jones told Fox News Digital while also discussing why the partnership with Purina is very important to him. “You are trying to represent a nation, and only the emotions in your heart and chest make you want to give your best. Because this is a great honor.”
Jones battled a hamstring injury during the trials, so much so that he said he wasn’t sure his cleats would touch the track when he set up for the 100-meter hurdles.
He was able to run the race, and even though his 14.86 was his last time in the prelims, Jones was happy that he was able to clear all 10 hurdles without drastically damaging it.
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Even before the race, Jones, at 41, became the oldest 100-meter hurdler to qualify for the Olympic trials.
But her time means she won’t be representing the US in the hurdles during the Paris Games. However, that honor goes to Masai Russell, Alaysha Johnson and Grace Stark – all of whom will be competing in their first Olympics.
Jones knows the feeling of not being able to say that wearing the USA on his chest will make it home when he hits the track in Paris.
Jones explained what he’s heard from other Olympians when it comes to what it’s like.
“I’ve never been engaged or married, but I’ll tell you when I talk to other Olympians, they say the happiest day is when they get married and when they make the Olympic team and know they’re going to represent their country,” Jones said. . “That’s crazy to me – how much responsibility we take to represent people.”
Lolo Jones of the USA Bobsled team at Olympic Park during the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics on February 20, 2014 in Sochi, Russia. (Scott Halleran/Getty Images)
While Jones’ friends will be moving overseas, he continues to do things every month with his own career. Jones has been told to retire more times than he can count, including when he finished in a semifinal heat at this year’s trials.
He said, “absolutely not,” when asked about competing at the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Games, but he opened the door to bobsledding, which will be featured at the 2026 Winter Games in Milan.
The drive to continue competing comes from within – as Jones said, he loved the challenge since high school when no one else wanted to do the hurdles and he stepped up – but also had something to do with representing the Stars and Stripes.
Stay Active with Loki
Jones may not be making noise in Paris, but she keeps active at home with the energy and joy of Loki, her dog who was featured in Purina Pro Plan Sport’s “Fueled By” documentary, which shows how she became his training partner. off track.
In fact, when Jones came home from the trial, he wasn’t in a good mental state after seeing his reaction during the race. Loki was more than a training partner – he was a true friend.
Lolo Jones reacts after competing in the first round of the women’s 100 meter hurdles on Day Eight of the 2024 US Olympic Team Track & Field trials at Hayward Field on June 28, 2024 in Eugene, Oregon. (Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
“I thought it was amazing to see how it could just pick up how depressed I was,” Jones explained. “I’m really struggling to process these emotions. I’m forced to retire, and he always wants to go out. He’s becoming more affectionate, and it’s like, ‘Wow, I can tell you if I want to go through.’ For me, that’s a lot.”
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Having a friend like Loki, Jones is passionate about what Purina Pro Plan is doing for animals. For every document view, Purina Pro Plan will donate $1 (up to $150,000) to Athletes for Animals, a non-profit organization focused on protecting homeless animals.
As Jones cheers on Team USA at the Olympics this year, Loki will be by his side doing the same.
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