Des Moines native Lolo Jones may not be competing at the Drake Relays this month. The world champion hurdler is trying to bounce back from spinal surgery in 2010 and hopes to make another run at the U.S. Olympic team.
Relays director Brian Brown says not having Lolo run would be disappointing, and he says he’s not heard for sure that she will not be back. Jones appeared headed for gold in 2008 but clipped one of the final hurdles and did not win a medal.
Brown says all of us want to see Lolo get redemption and he says this is the place for fans to see her up close and personal. “It has been my hope that she would return, there’s been every indication that she wants to return,” Brown says. He says if health reason keep her from running at Drake, then she has to do what’s best for her.
Brown says the Olympic year is helping to attract top competitors and says one example is the men’s shot put where several contenders will compete, including seven-time U.S. Champion Christian Cantwell. Brown says Cantwell will have plenty of competition with the 2012 indoor World Champion, and the defending Drake champion.
The Drake Relays are April 26th through the 28th.