It was inevitable. The 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo will not be held as scheduled on July 24, which means Lolo Jones’ retirement can wait.
While every other major sports league across the globe suspended seasons amid the coronavirus pandemic, the IOC seemed to be operate in a state of denial — hoping that the Tokyo Olympics could go on as scheduled. But with Canada and Australia both pulling out of the Games, IOC member Dick Pound told USA TODAY Sports that the Olympics would be postponed — likely to be rescheduled for 2021.
This was a significant decision for every athlete involved as just training for these Olympics put their health at risk. And for Jones, who was trying to make a return to the Summer Olympics at 37 after competing in the Winter Games as a bobsledder, this meant a delay on those Olympic dreams.
She wasn’t too upset about that, though.
ππ½ππ½ππ½ππ½ππ½ππ½ππ½ππ½ππ½ someone order me a damn pizza I got another year before I gotta be ready for the games πππ€°π½ https://t.co/yQmI8tUZLV
— Lolo Jones (@lolojones) March 23, 2020
The Olympics getting postponed meant that Jones could finally take a break from training and enjoy some pizza. She also poked fun at her age compared to the other athletes come 2021 (she’ll turn 39 in August of next year).
Retirement will have to wait another year. #Tokyo2021 https://t.co/7jIA4c5ZQL
— Lolo Jones (@lolojones) March 23, 2020
But as Jones initially responded with some excellent jokes, she also made note that this was the only appropriate decision that the IOC could make.
jokes aside Iβm so happy the Olympics was postponed. I was vocal for so many days. Iβve had so many calls with athletes who have been in tears trying to train for their ultimate dream but not wanting to jeopardize their health. This was the right thing to do. May the world heal
— Lolo Jones (@lolojones) March 23, 2020
It was the right thing to do, indeed.
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