Cullen Jones
Cullen Jones proved that he is one of the swiftest swimmers on the planet in 2008 when he became only the second African-American in history to win an Olympic Gold medal in swimming. In undoubtedly one of the most exciting events in swimming history, Cullen helped the 4x100 relay team win gold in a race soaked with drama and subplots. His team blistered through the water, shattering a world record they set just hours earlier in the preliminaries.
Cullen was born in The Bronx, NY in 1984 and grew up in Irvington, New Jersey. He started learning how to swim after he was dramatically rescued from a near-drowning at a pool in Pennsylvania when he was five years old. After swimming with several club teams in the New Jersey area, Cullen started swimming for Saint Benedict's Preparatory school in Newark, New Jersey where he first started gaining recognition for his athletic talents.
After high school Cullen attended North Carolina State University where he was an English major with a minor in Psychology. Cullen became a professional swimmer after signing with Nike in 2006. Cullen burst onto the scene shortly after the 2006 Pan Pacific Swimming Championships where he set a meet record in the 50-meter freestyle. He became the first African-American swimmer to break a long-course world record.
Later in his career Cullen broke the 50-meter free American record and won gold in the men's 4x100-meter free relay at the 2009 World Championships. While at the 2008 Olympic games he earned a gold medal and set a world record as a member of the 400-meter free relay, which Cullen has become most known for. Also, in 2007 he captured silver in the 50-meter freestyle at the World Champs competition.
Cullen currently holds the world record in the 400-meter freestyle relay set at the Beijing Olympics, and holds the American record in the 50-meter freestyle which he set at the 2009 Conoco Phillips USA Swimming National Championship. He is coached by David Marsh at the Center of Excellence at Mecklenburg Aquatic Club in Charlotte, North Carolina.
In addition, he has received various honors including the 2006 USA Swimming "Breakout Performer of the Year" and "Relay Performance of the Year." Cullen is also highly involved in charitable organizations, including the Ronald Jones Foundation. In his spare time he gives back to the community through motivational speaking, youth clinics, and even private lessons. Working with USA Swimming Foundation's "Make a Splash" program, Cullen is dedicated to helping minorities learn how to swim. Cullen also focuses on educating minority youth about hypertension and diabetes, and how to live a healthy lifestyle.
Cullen's hobbies outside of the pool include video games, watching movies, and dancing. He also aspires to write for a men's fashion magazine, such as GQ.
A positive role model and an awe-inspiring athlete, Cullen Jones has set the bar high.
Cullen Jones proved that he is one of the swiftest swimmers on the planet in 2008 when he became only the second African-American in history to win an Olympic Gold medal in swimming. In undoubtedly one of the most exciting events in swimming history, Cullen helped the 4x100 relay team win gold in a race soaked with drama and subplots. His team blistered through the water, shattering a world record they set just hours earlier in the preliminaries.
Cullen was born in The Bronx, NY in 1984 and grew up in Irvington, New Jersey. He started learning how to swim after he was dramatically rescued from a near-drowning at a pool in Pennsylvania when he was five years old. After swimming with several club teams in the New Jersey area, Cullen started swimming for Saint Benedict's Preparatory school in Newark, New Jersey where he first started gaining recognition for his athletic talents.
After high school Cullen attended North Carolina State University where he was an English major with a minor in Psychology. Cullen became a professional swimmer after signing with Nike in 2006. Cullen burst onto the scene shortly after the 2006 Pan Pacific Swimming Championships where he set a meet record in the 50-meter freestyle. He became the first African-American swimmer to break a long-course world record.
Later in his career Cullen broke the 50-meter free American record and won gold in the men's 4x100-meter free relay at the 2009 World Championships. While at the 2008 Olympic games he earned a gold medal and set a world record as a member of the 400-meter free relay, which Cullen has become most known for. Also, in 2007 he captured silver in the 50-meter freestyle at the World Champs competition.
Cullen currently holds the world record in the 400-meter freestyle relay set at the Beijing Olympics, and holds the American record in the 50-meter freestyle which he set at the 2009 Conoco Phillips USA Swimming National Championship. He is coached by David Marsh at the Center of Excellence at Mecklenburg Aquatic Club in Charlotte, North Carolina.
In addition, he has received various honors including the 2006 USA Swimming "Breakout Performer of the Year" and "Relay Performance of the Year." Cullen is also highly involved in charitable organizations, including the Ronald Jones Foundation. In his spare time he gives back to the community through motivational speaking, youth clinics, and even private lessons. Working with USA Swimming Foundation's "Make a Splash" program, Cullen is dedicated to helping minorities learn how to swim. Cullen also focuses on educating minority youth about hypertension and diabetes, and how to live a healthy lifestyle.
Cullen's hobbies outside of the pool include video games, watching movies, and dancing. He also aspires to write for a men's fashion magazine, such as GQ.
A positive role model and an awe-inspiring athlete, Cullen Jones has set the bar high.
