Tough sledding for Jones over check jab
If Lolo Jones returns to Lake Placid, N.Y., this year in hopes of making the Olympic bobsled team, she can expect a frosty reception. After she posted a Vine video Monday cheekily complaining about her $741.84 check from the U.S. Bobsled and Skeleton Federation, the most accomplished bobsledder in U.S. history called Jones’ comments “a slap in the face.”
Olympic gold medalist Steven Holcomb was in the midst of his second lifting session when the topic came up at the Olympic Training Center in Lake Placid. “It wasn’t taken very well,” he said. “People were really kind of insulted. You just made $741, more than most athletes in the sport. So what are you complaining about?
“The way it came across to a lot of the athletes here was kind of snobby, because she’s one of the most wellknown athletes in the world and she’s making pretty good money in endorsements (as a two-time Olympic hurdler). And to basically turn around and slap us in the face because you didn’t make any money this year in bobsledding while taking money from other athletes?”
In the video, Jones says, “Seven months with bobsled season. The whole season. That’s it.” On the phone, presumably talking to a mock landlord, she says, “I’m going to be a little late on my rent.” The camera shows her paycheck.
On Monday night, Jones released a statement through Red Bull, one of her sponsors. “I didn’t want to offend anyone, and I’ve always wanted to help out my bobsled teammates,” the statement read. “The Vine of the paycheck is just showing the difference between track and bobsled, and, to be honest, bobsledders work more hours than track! … So hopefully this will make people appreciate just how hard Olympians work, often just for the love of the sport.”
The check Jones received was based on her results last season. FIBT, the international bobsled federation, contributes money the U.S. Bobsled and Skeleton Federation divides among its athletes. Jones and Jazmine Fenlator paired to win silver in a World Cup event in Lake Placid. Jones doesn’t receive a stipend. Holcomb won four golds in World Cup races, and his check from the FIBT pool was just under $3,000, he said.
“She’s brand new to the sport ... and she’s upset because she got $741? I’ve been doing it for 16 years, and I didn’t get a whole lot more,” Holcomb said.