Lolo Jones Tearful on 'Today Show' after Being Slammed By NY Times, Media; Sprinter Finishes Without a Medal

Lolo Jones broke down on the Today Show after expressing frustrations over how the press was treating her.

By the press, she meant the NY Times who scorched her with an article entitled “For Lolo Jones, Everything is Image” written by Jere Longman. The most reputable news source commented that because Jones was unlikely to win anything at the Olympics, her strategy to remain relevant as an athlete was to do anything necessary.

“Essentially, 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,” writes Longman.

Jones came into the spotlight a few months ago after announcing that she was a virgin and wanted to remain as such until she was married.

Jones claims to not have read the article and added that she could not comprehend why the media would “rip a U.S. athlete apart two days before the run.”

The emotional and even tearful runner vented her frustration Wednesday on the 'Today Show' and even went so-far as to slam the NY Times for not doing the research. She noted that she has been an accomplished hurdler and a two-time world indoor champion.

“Just because I don’t boast about these things. I don’t think I should be ripped apart.”

Compounding the backlash toward Jones is the fact that other Olympians are also blasting her.

Silver and bronze medalists Dawn Harper and Kellie Wells also questioned all the attention that Jones was getting during an interview with NBC's Michelle Beadle.

"We're going to push your story aside and still going to push [Jones], that hurt," said Harper, winner of a gold medal in Beijing. "That hurt my feelings... I felt my story was pretty good, too."

Wells, bronze medal winner, was even more ferocious in her attacks: "On the podium tonight the three girls that got medals earned their spot, worked hard, did what they needed to do and prevailed. That's all that needs to be said."

Jones finished fourth in the 100 m race while Australia's Sally Pearson finished first. Dawn Harper finished second and Kellie Wells ended the race in third place.