Olympian Lolo Jones recently shared her thoughts on remaining a virgin and the implications it has had on her life.
Known for her impressive track record, the athlete—who was born Lori Susan Jones—excels in both the 60- and 100-meter hurdles, accumulating numerous honors throughout her career. In addition to her hurdling achievements, she has represented the U.S. in the Olympics as a brake woman for the national bobsled team.
At 42, Jones stands out not only for her athletic prowess but also for her personal choices, including her decision to abstain from sex. She has candidly expressed that this choice can leave her feeling at a disadvantage, especially since she cannot turn to intimacy for stress relief. Nonetheless, she remains firm in her commitment to her values.
In various interviews, Jones has talked about her celibacy, describing it as a formidable challenge. She once stated that abstaining was tougher than her rigorous Olympic training or even earning her college degree. “Harder than training for the Olympics, harder than graduating from college, has been to stay a virgin before marriage,” she revealed during an episode of HBO’s ‘Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel’ in 2012.
As a devout Christian, she views her virginity as a precious gift meant for her future husband. This sense of commitment resonates deeply in her discussions about personal relationships.
Lolo Jones Shares the Stress of Her Celibacy
During a segment of Kevin Hart’s ‘Cold as Balls’ in 2020, Jones opened up about how her decision to remain celibate has paradoxically complicated her quest for a partner.
“That killed all my dates after that. Before, at least I had a chance,” she remarked. “Before, I’d like, tiptoe. ‘OK, when’s a good time to tell him? Do I wait until he sees my personality a little bit? Or do I just drop the bomb?’”
She also expressed that her abstinence can hinder her performance as an athlete, noting, “Having sex actually helps you as an athlete, a female athlete. So, I’m running at a disadvantage.” This acknowledgment adds another layer to her candid revelations about stress and pressure in her life.
Despite her commitment to celibacy, Jones has aspirations of starting a family. She has shared her concerns about time slipping away, contemplating options such as freezing her eggs. “I originally wanted to freeze my eggs when I was in my early 30s. I just kept thinking I will meet my husband and things will all work out,” she admitted. “Well here I am almost 10 years later and it hasn’t.”
These insights reveal not only her dedication to her principles but also the personal challenges and fears she faces as she navigates her path as both an athlete and a woman.
