Teammates team up on Lolo Jones in interview
If you've gone 45 seconds without hearing anything about Lolo Jones, you've come to the right place.
Lolopalooza continued on Wednesday, with a pair of 100-meter hurdle teammates throwing some Lolo-blows in an interview with Michelle Beadle on the NBC Sports Network.
Silver medalist Dawn Harper and bronze medalist Kellie Wells made their smoldering resentment of Lolo's preferred media star status unflinchingly clear.
Here's a transcript of the interview, which you can watch here.
BEADLE: You thought that you weren't getting enough respect after last time (a gold medal in 2008)... Why is that?
HARPER: I thought I was a pretty good story. Knee surgery two months before Olympic trials in 2008, to make the team by 0.007, not have a contract, working three jobs, living in a frat house, running in someone else's shoes to get the gold medal... ehhh, it sounds pretty interesting. Coming from East St. Louis. I just felt I worked really hard to represent my country to win the gold medal. I just feel like because their favorite didn't win, we're going to push your story aside and still gonna push this one, that hurt my feelings. But I showed I can deal with the pressure and came back, and I think you've kind of got to respect it a little bit now.
BEADLE: You guys kind of hang out together. Is there fighting amongst the team -- we're talking about Lolo Jones in case you can't figure it out -- is there an awkward situation or have we just all kind of moved on?
WELLS: Well I think that on the podium tonight the three girls that earned their spot and they got their medals and they worked hard and did what they needed to do, prevailed. And that's all that really needs to be said.
BEADLE: Wow. You can cut the tension in here with a knife.
HARPER: BOOM. Just like that.
Boom indeed. If the mean ole New York Times set off Lolo's waterworks after hatcheting her up, the words of her teammates have to sting even worse.
In Lolo's defense, I'm not sure why Harper and Wells felt compelled to say all this. You won! If you want to rub it in her face, just flash your medals around! Let it go, ladies. Let the bling do the talking.
But hey, at least we now know how Mark Sanchez must feel every single day he goes to training camp with the Jets.
PHOTO: Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images
Recently on Medal Detector
More Olympics Coverage from the Yardbarker Network
51 Comments:
-
If they think they are champions, then they need to act it. Show some sportsmanship. They can toot their own horns without putting down their team mate. Granted, they deserve to have the conversations about them in an interview. It isn't Lolo's fault the interviewer is asking about her. They need to show some professionalism and learn how to re-direct the conversation back to them where it should be. Their slap down of Lolo did nothing to shine the lights on them and away from her. A tactful way to handle that would have been to say 'ya know, this final was one of the best finals because it had several favorites. When you get to this level, any one of 8 women could have won that race. i am thankful & proud I won. My hard work over the last 4 years paid off and i could not be more proud.' They should realize they won't get the respect they earned by smacking down another competitor.
-
comment below viewing threshold
-
"In Lolo's defense, I'm not sure why Harper and Wells felt compelled to say all this."
Isn't it obvious? -
aaahhhh jealousy's a b***h aint it gals?
-
I think it was ridiculous that they bashed Lolo because she got more attention in the 2008 Olympics when Harper actually won the gold that year. Harper, duh, the media focuses on who they want to. It's not Lolo's fault. Even if she had told the media, in 2008, that they needed to be focusing on you, the 2008 gold medalst, the media would not have done it. The media decides who they want to focus on and why. I was so embarrassed as an African
American female at how you all bashed her. You sounded jealous about something that happened 4 years ago. Just enjoy your wins and carry yourselves like LADIES and like TEAMMATES. Maybe you didn't or won't get too many interviews because American media really doesn't want to encourage teammates bashing teammates. Maybe you watch too many reality tv shows where bashing and messyness is the way to go, but it's not like that in real life. Be a lady! -
truth hurts - they worked hard and won. By the way, they didn't mention lolo, soooo why are the media trying to create a fake "tension". Even if there is, no big deal, what they said was pretty much the truth.
-
It's not hard to read between the lines. This is so obvious!
-
I saw no "teaming up" on anyone in that interview. Didn't see tension you could cut with a knife, either. The way the media are manipulating and distorting this non-story is pretty despicable, and nobody does despicable like Fox. Shame on you.
-
comment below viewing threshold
-
quote: "Well I think that on the podium tonight the three girls that earned their spot and they got their medals and they worked hard and did what they needed to do, prevailed. And that's all that really needs to be said."
This has implied meaning ALL WITHIN IT! If you can't see what they really said was, "HAAAAA the light skinned girl that you all wanted to win got nothin & we won medals so HAAAA".
If you can't hear or see that in the interview then you're just fooling yourself. -
comment below viewing threshold
-
Who cares! Jones lost so she has no room to complain!
-
WOW!!! Jealousy showing its "Ugly" head. These two runners dislike Lolo because she gets attention because she is attractive and they are not. They won medals and should be very proud of that but they decide to take shots as they know they will never get any endorsements as they are not camera friendly.
-
I think they are pretty attractive myself. Also, read the article again. The girls said nothing bad about Lolo.
What specifically did they say about Lolo that was so bad? -
"In Lolo's defense, I'm not sure why Harper and Wells felt compelled to say all this. You won! If you want to rub it in her face, just flash your medals around! Let it go, ladies. Let the bling do the talking."
Why did you feel the need to bring up Lolo Jones to them in the first place when the interview should have been about their moment? -
They didn't say anything bad about Lolo. Read the article again!
What specifically did they say about Lolo that was so bad?
It was all the media. The only person who said something about Lolo was the person who wrote the article.
Go Wells and Harper! Congratulations!
-
They don't have to. It's "implied"! You don't have to be a rocket scientist to read between the lines of what she said.
I don't know why we act like this is something so new, especially in the Black community. The darker complected girls who won are jealous of the much lighter, long haired, light eyed 1/2 black girl who didn't win anything but got a ton of attention, because unfortunately in America Lolo's "look" is still more palatable.
That's the truth ruth.
-
They are the shining example of why folks like me like lolo jones. They are pretty disgusting teammates and not worthy of me remembering there names. Lolo has a compelling story on her injury, lost medal because of it in china , and comeback. I'd like to like these two but I cannot. I hope and pray that lolo can look past this to a great life, family, faith and sponsorship/financial career. The other two are destined to fall Into obscurity. They could got what they wanted by doing the opposite of what they did. Had they embraced her as a teammate, told fans that they understood why they like her the way they do and that her efforts and comeback pushed them to their greatest position ( btw not gold.they did finish second and third ). Maybe I'd they'd concentrated on the completion versus beating lolo gold may have been attainable. They essentionally call fans that like lolo fools. That feels good. And you wonder why you get no props! Anyway I will pray your heart because less hardened by jealously. You seem like good people but very immature. Go lolo to wherever life takes you . God bless you and your family. Your 4th place was number one in my book.
-
They didn't say anything bad about Lolo. Read the article again!
What specifically did they say about Lolo that was so bad?
It was all the media. The only person who said something about Lolo was the person who wrote the article.
Go Wells and Harper! Congratulations! -
Affirmative.
-
Lolo Jones is a beautiful women and that is what the world wants to see. Having a $5 extention and a grill that could plow the back 40 does not cut it with the media. So when you get back to the states, don't forget to pay your taxes on the medals you won. LoLo Jones will be cashing her endorsements checks, appearing in magazines, making commericals and hopefully take some acting lessions so we can see her in the movies.
-
i think they have every right to carp. just because this jones lady looked like a blond model they have tobe shuffled off to the side. these whole olympics have been a disgrace. down to the coverage of nbc. watched the basketball game us vs aus. those two announcers were horrid. they talked so much i muted them and just watched the game. but what they chose to show was a joke. and trying to find any programming whether the lcd or streaming was like trawling for a mermaid. i understand new producer director. but those guys 4 years ago were worth 10 of the losers they put in charge of this fiasco. field hockey?
-
Harper and Wells showed why no one is interested in them. Low life scum. Jones had the gold won in Bejing and earned her spot on this olympic team, and made the finals. Harper and Wells are not the kind of people the sponsors want and they showed exactly why that is. No class.
-
They didn't say anything bad about Lolo. Read the article again!
What specifically did they say about Lolo that was so bad?
It was all the media. The only person who said something about Lolo was the person who wrote the article.
Go Wells and Harper! Congratulations! -
Just look at the picture and you knew something stupid was coming out! So typical!
-
I know MikeinGeorgia. I saw your locale and, of course, knew that something stupid would subsequently follow. So typical of the trailer park set. Go Georgia.
-
Okay that was funny all the way here in California. People grow up, it was catty and unworranted but these are young ladies. We as adults dont need to take their appearance and race or anything and become ignorant either!
-
Wells and Harper are amazing athletes and awesome for them winning medals. However, they come out of this not looking like the champions they are but instead like bully ghetto trash.
-
Second that!
-
comment below viewing threshold
-
comment below viewing threshold
-
I felt they should have kept that to themselves. As a team, it is 'supposed' to be United We Stand. What they wanted to do after the games are over was up to them but DURING?????
Come on; Show Some Class....even if you have none!
They complained about Serena dancing....that was about her! What these 2 girls did was about trashing someone else...and a team mate to boot!
Hey ladies..... if the media made it about Lolo, complain about THEM! If she got all the attention.....it's because the MEDIA gave it to her!!! -
EXACTRLY. Where is the "Like" button?
-
Yeah, it's just jealousy. We're not going to be seeing Harper or Wells on a Wheaties box anytime, lol! These days it's not all about how you do, but how you look. And...damn. 'Nuff said.
-
Give me a break. Jones is a whiner. Her teammates have a right to be angry. Jones is a self promoter who has yet to get to the big dance. Stop talking about yourself incessantly to the media. I don't care if you are a "virgin." Britney Spears and Jessica Simpson used to say the same things, but in reality... As for showing no class Jones has cornered that market. Your private life is just that -- private. Jones will not be in any further commercials and it's laughable to think that shes be appearing in movies.Winners struggle to find this kind of success post olympics and, Jones, isn't a winner. As for the talk of her beauty, I don't see it. Also, quick question: now that we know Jones' ethnicity: that of a black woman, I wonder if the posters will be so quick to support her antics and continue demonizing the other women. One trailer park low life on another posting wrote: " oh, she's black (or half black), well I don't support her afterall. People: imove beyond your petty behavior.
-
You dont see it because your blind! The girl is naturally beautiful and if you cant see it then your the 1%. This isnt about looks anyway so get over it. She shouldve, couldve (whatever) won in China and be a gold medalist unfortunately she didnt and 2012 was her attempt to close that chapter and many people got behind her, thats where her big story and fan base comes from. Its watching an old spirit whos time has gone by try to recapture it.
-
They didn't say anything bad about Lolo. Read the article again!
What specifically did they say about Lolo that was so bad?
It was all the media. The only person who said something about Lolo was the person who wrote the article.
Go Wells and Harper! Congratulations! -
I really didn't like either athlete's comments right after their races. It was like they didn't do as well as they wanted so they had to almost convince themselves or maybe the fans that winning silver or bronze was good enough. Comments like.
"Well, I made it here & I just wanted to get past the Semi-Finals & instead I got a bronze & I had a hard life so I'm happy".
That's not really a gracious acceptance or interview. I mean I'm happy you won silver & or Bronze you don't have to "convince" me that it was a good effort. It just seemed odd that both of these woman did the, "I did good.....really.....I did....please believe me, this is good enough" -
@Truth_Plus perhaps you should re-read the article. It's called allusiion. No they didn't come out and say anything specific about Lolo but come on, who else were they talking about?
Wells and Harper need to STFU. Media isn't interested in them, get over it!
Harper, did you really have to go the East St. Louis route. "Oh, my story is much worse, I'm from East St. Louis!" Who cares! Apparently you thought you had to go there to get attention, how did that work for you? -
brag about your accomplishments AFTER you make them, not before. And if the media come swarming around, just say: "I'm working hard, but I don't know what my chances are."
Then, if you win, you look great. If you DO win, that is your opportunity to show what a good winner you are.
Lolo wasn't able to get her bragging time straight, and these two morons aren't very good winners. So...swing and a miss. -
Wow, the truth hurts, doesn't it? I don't think they badmouthed Lolo Jones at all. Harper said truthfully that she thought she had a pretty good story and was hurt that she didn't get more attention. If anything she was criticizing the media choosing to ignore her story for the story of another athlete who she felt they had latched onto, regardless of her achievements at that Olympic Games. She said that "their favorite" didn't win, so they brushed her story aside and went with another one,.
Look at gymnastics. before the competition even started NBC had all but given the gold medal to Jordan Weiber, and guaranteed on-air that McKayla Maroney would win the gold for the vault. Neither happened. On the biggest stage in athletics, the victor should get the spoils and I feel that the media should have given at least a little love to the athletes that represented their country just as well and performed well enough to be awarded a medal. Unless you're an avid track-and-field you didn't know that Harper had won the gold in 2008.
Neither one of these athletes said a negative word about Jones. I like that they told he truth about how they felt about being ignored. Much respect to all the athletes who trained hard for these games!!! You're all awesome. My question is why the host would ask the question about Jones instead of asking about their Olympic experience? I don't have anything at al against Lolo Jones. It would be nice, though, if our media would let our medal winners have their time in the light. I think they earned it. -
Agreed.
Yeah, Jordyn Weiber was THEE story...we all know how that played out. Aly got the gold in the Floor Exercise and Gabby got the gold for all-round.
-
This is where we can confirm our suspicions and laugh at statements that go something like " oh I do it for the love of the sport" 'I give all the glory to God"....these dipsticks clearly do it for attention and possible endorsements. that's fine to do, but call it what it is and stop blabbering about all the phony schit that you think we want to hear! Nice job on the medals, bad job on showing no class and crying about not getting attention...boo friggin hoo!
-
I served in the U.S. Marine Corps for almost 30 years and there is nothing that make me feel more pride than to hear the playing of our National Anthem. Unforturmately, when these two clowns medal ceremony is shown on TV I will not watch. They need to take a lesson from the young ladies of the U.S. Gymnastics Team. The favorite didn't when as expected, but that girl (age) can teach these ladies (I'd like to use another word) a lesson in sportsmanship. Whether you're Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines or Coast Guard, we joke about each other. But, when we deploy, we deploy as a team. The United States of America. Hopefully your jealously doesn't get you any endorsements. I can guarantee I will not support that product if you do.
-
I served in the U.S. Marine Corps for almost 30 years and there is nothing that make me feel more pride than to hear the playing of our National Anthem. Unforturmately, when these two clowns medal ceremony is shown on TV I will not watch. They need to take a lesson from the young ladies of the U.S. Gymnastics Team. The favorite didn't win as expected, but that girl (age) can teach these ladies (I'd like to use another word) a lesson in sportsmanship. Whether you're Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines or Coast Guard, we joke about each other. But, when we deploy, we deploy as a team. The United States of America. Hopefully your jealously doesn't get you any endorsements. I can guarantee I will not support that product if you do.
-
"Well I think that on the podium tonight the three girls that earned their spot and they got their medals and they worked hard and did what they needed to do, prevailed. And that's all that really needs to be said."
One girl did what she needed to do, she didn't even run close to her best while you both ran pr's and she still beat you, don't try and make like you're better than 3rd, 4th or 5th, you got a consolation medal thats it. This is what happens when you give out medals to losers.
-
I went back to re-read the article and then I looked at the actual interview.....WOW!
My original comment stays; they did NOT handle that like a team! What ever problem they had with Lolo should have been handled AFTER they were out of the spotlight....for the world to see...
It's not What you say sometimes....but HOW you say it. What I saw was what I call a 'double edged sword'. Insulting in a round about way! The attitude was unmistakeable and it didn't take much on the reporters' part to get responses like that. When she said you can cut the tension with a knife....notice their response to that.
The media fell for the hype that was Lolo. Hell, Lolo fell for the hype that was Lolo; but guess what? She was Supposed to hype herself! AND if the media covered it, then that was on them! I'm sure there was a million and 1 stories that was better than hers; however, it was hers they chose to print..
The attitude I saw coming from these girls was genuine disdain for Lolo and you can't hide that . So, I suggest YOU view that interview again and see what I'm talking about.
