DES MOINES, Iowa - It's been a brutal month for Lolo Jones.

She's been dissected in the media and dissed by her own teammates. If that wasn't bad enough, Jones failed to even medal in the 100-meter hurdles at the recent London Olympics after spending four years working to overcome her heartbreaking stumble in Beijing.

An over-the-top Olympic-style homecoming in her hometown of Des Moines, Iowa, was exactly what Jones needed.

An emotional Jones joined a cast of Iowa-based Olympians that included gymnast Gabby Douglas and wrestler Jake Varner, both gold medalists, in a raucous celebration on the campus of Drake University.

Jones says the support of her fans is a light in dark times.