U.S. Olympian Lolo Jones alleges that the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) and USA Bobsled jeopardized her health by mishandling a severe back injury, a situation she described as nearly causing permanent paralysis.
Jones detailed her experience in a recent social media post, explaining that she sustained a significant back injury during a competition for the "USA 1 brakewoman seat" in Lake Placid, New York, days before the 2025 World Championships. The injury resulted in "brutal lower-back pain, numbness, leg instability, foot drop, loss of bladder control."
According to Jones, an appointment with a trainer at the Olympic Training Center was canceled by John Faltus, identified as a top official at the USOPC medical clinic. Faltus reportedly cited that Jones was only entitled to one massage per week and had already received one that week. Jones stated she was never provided with an X-ray or MRI and was prevented from using ice baths for pain relief.
Despite these issues, Jones competed in the World Championships. The injury was later diagnosed as a herniated disc with a disc bulge and tears in her L3, L4, and L5 vertebrae, accompanied by spinal fluid leakage. She believes that if her "pilot hit a wall," she could have been paralyzed.
Jones claims that USA Bobsled and the USOPC put her at significant risk and subsequently penalized her for the injury sustained while testing bobsled for Team USA. Following these events, she was banned from the training center. The Zielhaus piece, referenced by Jones, indicates she has since incurred $100,000 in medical and training expenses.
The USOPC has reportedly acknowledged that Jones was "wrongly denied medical treatment at the Olympic Training Center." Neither the USOPC nor USA Bobsled immediately responded to inquiries from Fox News Digital regarding the allegations.
Jones, who has won two World Indoor Championships in the 60-meter hurdles and two World Championships in bobsleigh events, stated, "They stripped my rights, completely destroyed me, and no one was held accountable. Finally, the truth is getting out."
She further elaborated on the difficulties, recalling, "I remember limping by the sports med room every day, unable to go inside. Millions in equipment and funds are donated specifically to help Olympic athletes rehabilitate, but John Faltus canceled my appointment and locked me out." She expressed dismay that USA Bobsled and the USOPC allegedly placed her back in a bobsled without a proper evaluation or MRI, thereby risking permanent paralysis.