Lolo Jones Looks to Change Olympians' Income, Sparks Controversy
Lolo Jones ruffled feathers after posting a photo of the check she received for bobsled training to Twitter on Monday.
"I'm going to be short on my rent this month," the former track-and-field-turned-bobsled athlete posted, along with a short Vine video.
The video featured a close up of the check for $741.84 from the U.S. Bobsled & Skeleton Federation as well as Jones admonishing the amount.
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"Seven months with bob sled season, the whole season, that's it," said that athlete before talking into her cell phone: "I'm just calling, I'm going to be a little bit late on my rent."
While Jones is shedding light on the lives of Olympic athletes, the post was met with chagrin from fellow bobsledders such a gold medalist Steven Holcomb- the most accomplished American bobsledder in history.
"It wasn't taken very well," said Holcomb speaking to USA Today about Jones' video. "People were really kind of insulted. You just made $741, more than most athletes in the sport. So what are you complaining about?"
Jones, 30, specializes in the 60 and 100 meter hurdles, but has now taken up bobsledding in an attempt to earn an Olympic gold medal. Despite not earning a gold medal during her track and field career, Jones did win several endorsements during the past two summer games.
In response to Holcomb's reaction, Jones explained the disappointment behind the paycheck.
"I don't want to offend anyone, and I've always wanted to help out my bobsled teammates. Some of them have debt because they've given their life to the sport. My partner Jazmine and I had to raise money for the bobsled to be funded just to finished the season, because only 2 of the 3 sleds are funded by the team," the athlete said in a statement, according to ESPN.
The Iowa native went on to defend herself and pointed to the unfairness within Olympic sports.
"I can't imagine halfway through my track season having to stop and raise money to finish. The wine of the paycheck is just showing the difference between track and bobsled, and to be honest the bobsledders work more hours than track! The bottom line is that all Olympic athletes dedicate their lives to their sports and do not receive lucrative paychecks like athletes in mainstream professional sports. So hopefully this will make people appreciate just how hard Olympians work, often just for the love of the sport," Jones said.
Additionally, the athlete showed appreciation for Twitter followers who praised her vine video.
"Thx for the support. I will continue to speak up. Change can happen #TeamUSA"
