Olympic Hurdler Lolo Jones Slammed in New York Times Sports Column
An opinion piece by a New York Times sports reporter is sparking controversy for its harsh criticism of U.S. Olympian Lolo Jones.
In last Sunday’s New York Times, sports reporter Jere Longman wrote, “Jones has decided she will be whatever anyone wants her to be — vixen, virgin, victim — to draw attention to herself and the many products she endorses…”
The article also accused Jones of receiving more media attention for her looks rather than her skill.
Jones was visibly upset when she responded to the criticism on NBC’s “Today,” where she stated, “The fact that they just tore me apart, it was just heartbreaking.” Jones added, “They didn’t even do their research … just because I don’t boast about (my achievements), I don’t think I should be ripped apart.”
The controversy has also attracted the attention of Art Brisbane, the public editor for the New York Times, who expressed his opinion on the matter by saying, “… sometimes (this journalistic approach) results in too much opinion appearing in the news column. In this particular case, I think the writer was particularly harsh, even unnecessarily so.”
Two frequent Fox News Channel contributors, Pulitzer Prize winner Judith Miller and Daily Beast columnist Kirsten Powers, weighed in on the matter on today’s Happening Now.
