Multi-sport Olympian Lolo Jones has accused the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) of "stripped my rights, nearly paralyzed me" and denying her necessary medical care after she sustained a spinal cord injury during training in March 2025. Jones, a four-time world champion, stated in a social media post that the USOPC and USA Bobsled "completely destroyed me."

The injury reportedly occurred days before the World Championships in Lake Placid, N.Y., while Jones was testing a new sled in a different racing position. She experienced severe lower-back pain, numbness, leg instability, foot drop, and loss of bladder control.

According to reports, a top official at the USOPC medical clinic, John Faltus, canceled a scheduled massage intended to treat her injury without providing an explanation. Jones was allegedly informed that the cancellation was due to a policy limiting massages to one per week, which she had already received.

Despite the injury, Jones competed in the 2025 World Championships, finishing sixth in the two-woman bobsleigh event with Elena Meyers Taylor. She stated that she was not provided with an X-ray or MRI by the USOPC and was prevented from using an ice bath for pain relief.

After the competition, Jones sought an MRI at her own expense, which revealed a herniated disc, tears in her L3, L4, and L5 vertebrae, and spinal fluid leakage. She subsequently underwent spinal surgery.

In a notice dated March 1, Julie Marra, director of the USOPC Training Center in Lake Placid, informed Jones that she was banned from the training center. The notice cited a violation of the OPTC Code of Conduct but did not specify the misconduct. The ban remained in effect in July, though a partial reinstatement was offered on July 3. Jones has reported spending approximately $100,000 of her own money on medical and training expenses due to the suspension. She resorted to training by pushing a vehicle in Louisiana due to her lack of access to Team USA's facilities.

Jones, who previously represented the U.S. in bobsled at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics and in track and field at the 2008 Beijing and 2012 London Olympics, was also left off the six-woman World Cup roster announced last fall. USA Bobsled selected Sadie McMullen, who had finished behind Jones at the World Championships, for the spot.

Jones expressed her frustration, stating she could not discuss the situation for months and appealing for intervention: "Please someone help stop what they are doing at USA Bobsled."