DES MOINES, Iowa -- Drake Relays director Brian Brown said Tuesday that Lolo Jones will run the shuttle hurdle relay rather than the 100-meter hurdles at her hometown meet later this month.
Jones, a Des Moines native and a two-time Olympic hurdler, competed for the U.S. in the bobsled at the recent Sochi Olympics.
Jones has long been the face of the meet, which is held just a few miles from where she grew up. But Jones failed to win the 100 hurdles at Drake in each of her past four tries, and she said after last year's loss that the Drake Relays had become more work than fun.
Still, meet officials are leaving the door open for Jones to run the 100 as well as the shuttle relay.
"There might be some expressed interest, if things go well for Lolo. But right now, as of (Tuesday), she's confirmed for the shuttle. A lot can happen between now and then," Brown said.
Brown also announced a stacked field for the men's 400-meter hurdles Tuesday. The three medalists from the 2012 London Olympics have committed to compete at the Drake Relays, which will be held April 23-27.
Michael Tinsley, the silver medalist in London and last year's IAAF World Championships in Moscow, headlines the roster for the 400 hurdles. Reigning Olympic gold medalist Felix Sanchez, who has slipped to eighth in the world, will look to overtake Tinsley and Javier Culson.
"It's going to be one of the best fields ever assembled at (Drake)," Brown said.
London Olympics gold medal-winning pole vaulters Jenn Suhr and Renaud Lavilenie also will compete in Des Moines.
The top-ranked Arkansas men and the defending national champion Kansas women lead the list of collegiate teams set to appear at the meet.