At 42, Lolo Jones makes bold bobsled comeback after Olympic trials success

Lolo Jones at the Utah Olympic Park on December 5, 2024. Photo: Randi Sidman-Moore // TownLift

The former track star is back competing for the USA, racing at the Utah Olympic Park Dec. 6 and 7

PARK CITY, Utah – Lolo Jones is diving back into the world of bobsledding, a move that embodies the relentless determination that has defined her career. On a chilly Wednesday at the Utah Olympic Park, she and her teammates hoisted a 400-pound sled from a cargo truck in preparation for a race—a task that showcased her work ethic and willingness to grind, even on a day when she wasn’t competing. For Jones, every moment on the bobsled circuit is another step in her journey to prove herself, inspire others, and continue pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.

She and her teammates are in Park City for a race stop on the North America Cup Tour, taking place at the UOP this week.

Jones has excelled on the global stage in not one but two demanding sports. She first rose to fame in track and field, dominating as a world-class hurdler with gold medals at the World Indoor Championships in 2008 and 2010. While her 2008 Beijing Olympics heartbreak—where she clipped the ninth hurdle and finished seventh—may have been a setback, it solidified her reputation as a fierce competitor. Jones’ blend of speed and grit made her a household name in athletics, but she wasn’t content with stopping there.

The transition to bobsledding proved to be a perfect fit for Jones’ raw power and mental toughness. Jones is one of the rare athletes to compete in both the Summer and Winter Olympics, representing Team USA as a brakewoman in the 2014 Sochi Games and winning a World Championship gold medal in 2021.

After that, Jones encountered trials with the USABS over what she termed a negative experience on the U.S. Team for herself and other athletes. Those experiences were formalized and became the subject of an investigation of the governing body amid claims of racism, sexism and ageism related to team selections and other protocols.

It was at that time that Jones decided to go back to track and field with the goal of qualifying for the Olympic Trials ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Jones amazed the world by not only qualifying to compete for a spot at the 2024 Olympics, but making it as far as the semi-finals at the trials at 41 years old. She did this while managing a grade 2 hamstring tear. This, she said, proved she had world-class speed.

 

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“I think part of it was that I was pushed out last time because of my age,” Jones said. “So, for me to go back to track and say, ‘Hey, not only do I still have it, I’m one of the fastest people to make Olympic Trials,’ that showed me I still had the capability, athletically speaking.”

Yet, her return to bobsledding this time isn’t  just about competition—it’s about redemption.

“I went back to track to show I still had the speed,” Jones said, reflecting on her Olympic Trials performance, which reaffirmed her athletic capability. When up-and-coming bobsled pilot Lauren Brzozowski reached out to ask Jones to join her sled, it offered the seasoned athlete a new sense of purpose. “Having a younger athlete value my experience really healed some of the hurt from the last cycle,” Jones shared.

For the beginning part of the season, Jones has chosen to race on the North American Cup (NAC) circuit—a less prestigious, more community-driven tour. After a grueling year balancing track and bobsled training, the NAC allows her to focus on camaraderie and hone her skills closer to home. “I needed to remove the pressure and stay in the U.S.,” she explained, adding that racing in Park City, a place she loves, was another major draw. In January, she expects to return to the World Cup as one of the fastest brakewomen in the U.S. with her sights set on 2025 World Championships in Lake Placid.

Even at 41, Jones continues to inspire with her resilience and dedication. Once the face of U.S. track and field, with high expectations and major endorsements heading into the 2008 Olympics, she now relishes her role as a mentor and symbol of longevity in sports. “I hope to show young athletes that you can still be in your 40s and be good enough to qualify for the Olympic Trials,” she told the AP in June.

Nicola Minichiello, NAC Coordinator, summed up her impact: “Considering the heights she’s come from, it’s impressive to see the work she puts in and the dynamic she brings. It’s definitely good to have her back.”

As Jones embraces the grind, she’s savoring every moment—mentoring future Olympians, pushing herself to new limits, and proving there’s no age limit on excellence. “These are good races,” she said. “You’re seeing future Olympians in their rawest form—learning, crashing, growing. It’s exciting and real.”

NAC Bobsled Race Schedule

• Friday, December 6: NAC races 2 – 4:30 p.m.
• Saturday, December 7: NAC races 2 – 4:30 p.m.
• Parking and spectating is free. Insider tip, get there in time to walk up to the start and see the athletes and action up close. Lolo Jones will race in the 2-woman race which starts at 2 p.m. with their second run at approximately 3:15 p.m. each day.