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Cullen Jones made history today as one of four men on the USA's winning 4X100 freestyle relay team. They took the gold with a world record time of 3 minutes, 8.24 seconds in an edge-of-your-seat race that keeps swimmer Michael Phelps on track to bring eight medals home.
Cullen Jones might be considered a bit of an unexpected swimming superstar. You see during one of his first experiences in water, he almost drowned. But that was a long time ago.
Now as only the third American black person to qualify for the Olympics in swimming, Cullen Jones has also positioned himself as an advocate and ambassador of swimming for reluctant black children.
Latest Olympics Photos
Brazil's soccer player Diego (R) fights for the ball with Vietnam's Vu Nhu Thanh during their friendly match at the My Dinh stadium in Hanoi August 1, 2008, in preparation for the upcoming Olympic Games in Beijing. REUTERS/Kham (VIETNAM) (BEIJING OLYMPICS 2008 PREVIEW)
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Brazil's soccer player Pato (C) celebrates with his teammates Ronaldinho (L), Diego (R) and Anderson (top) after scoring against Vietnam during their friendly match at the My Dinh stadium in Hanoi August 1, 2008, in preparation for the upcoming Olympic Games in Beijing. REUTERS/Kham (VIETNAM) (BEIJING OLYMPICS 2008 PREVIEW)
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Brazil's soccer player Ronaldinho (L) fights for the ball with Vietnam's Huynh Quang Thanh (C) and Nguyen Minh Phuong (R) during their friendly match at the My Dinh stadium in Hanoi August 1, 2008, in preparation for the upcoming Olympic Games in Beijing. REUTERS/Kham (VIETNAM) (BEIJING OLYMPICS 2008 PREVIEW)
Reuters
Brazil's soccer player Ronaldinho (L) controls the ball as Vietnam's Huynh Quang Thanh watches during their friendly match at the My Dinh stadium in Hanoi August 1, 2008, in preparation for the upcoming Olympic Games in Beijing. REUTERS/Kham (VIETNAM) (BEIJING OLYMPICS 2008 PREVIEW)
Reuters
Italian fencer Andrea Baldini during a press conference in Milan, Italy, Friday, Aug. 1, 2008. Baldini will miss the Beijing Olympics after testing positive for a diuretic during last month's European Championships in Ukraine. Baldini won a silver medal in foil at the 2006 and 2007 world championships and was considered a gold-medal candidate for Beijing. In the press conference Baldini said he "did not take anything". (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)
AP
Italian fencer Andrea Baldini reacts during a press conference in Milan, Italy, Friday, Aug. 1, 2008. Baldini will miss the Beijing Olympics after testing positive for a diuretic during last month's European Championships in Ukraine. Baldini won a silver medal in foil at the 2006 and 2007 world championships and was considered a gold-medal candidate for Beijing. In the press coference Baldini said he "did not take anything". (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)
AP
Italian fencer Andrea Baldini arrives for a press conference in Milan, Italy, Friday, Aug. 1, 2008. Baldini will miss the Beijing Olympics after testing positive for a diuretic during last month's European Championships in Ukraine. Baldini won a silver medal in foil at the 2006 and 2007 world championships and was considered a gold-medal candidate for Beijing. In the press coference Baldini said he "did not take anything". (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)
AP
Italian fencer Andrea Baldini during a press conference in Milan, Italy, Friday, Aug. 1, 2008. Baldini will miss the Beijing Olympics after testing positive for a diuretic during last month's European Championships in Ukraine. Baldini won a silver medal in foil at the 2006 and 2007 world championships and was considered a gold-medal candidate for Beijing. In the press coference Baldini said he "did not take anything". (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)
AP
A night view of the National Stadium, also known as the "Bird's Nest", is seen during a water columns show in Beijing August 1, 2008. REUTERS/Daniel Aguilar (CHINA) (BEIJING 2008 OLYMPICS)
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A total solar eclipse is seen in Jiuquan, in China's western Gansu province Friday Aug 1, 2008. Millions of Chinese along the ancient Silk Road gathered Friday to gaze at a total solar eclipse, an event traditionally fraught with superstitious meaning coming one week before the start of the Beijing Olympics. (AP Photo) ** CHINA OUT **
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Jones appeared on ABC's Good Morning America recently and shared these thoughts:
"You've gotten a whole culture to believe that swimming isn't something that they do or they're not, I guess, physically capable of doing," Jones said. "We have changed that stereotype."And passing that torch has life and death implications for many children who have little access to swim instruction:
Jones has funneled his love for the sport, and helping minorities learn how to swim, into the USA Swimming Foundation's Make A Splash Program . There, he is able to turn his words to actions.
"It's just a torch that was passed on to me by many other black swimmers that have been before me -- Maritza Correia, Byron Davis. It's something that we've all tried to push and try and get more and more kids. It's definitely not a burden; it's just a cause of mine," the 6-foot-5-inch Jones said.
A 2007 study commissioned by USA Swimming and the University of Memphis found that 60 percent of African-American children don't know how to swim. And the Centers for Disease Control said African-American kids are three times more likely to drown than their Caucasian counterparts.Jones Gold Medal win is not the first for an American black man. That feat was accomplished by Anthony Ervin who became the first American black man to win a Gold Medal in the 50 meter freestyle in a tie with Gary Hall Jr. in 2000.
CAN YOU SWIM? DO YOUR KIDS KNOW HOW TO SWIM?
Comments: (16)
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By: Analyst on 8/11/2008 11:24AM
Receiving the exchange behind Cullen closed the distance in a remarkable turn for home that gave the last leg that slight gain that sealed the fate for the favored French team and brought the US the Olympic gold in the 4 by 100 relay. Whoever said that blacks can't swim? Why that is as absurd as saying white men can't jump. Hopefully, the astonishing feat of Cullen Jones inspires more black youth to swim competively on a national and international scale.
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By: SJC on 8/11/2008 11:21AM
Can anyone say........HOT???! This man is gorgeous with a capital G.....what a talent, what a smooth smile and a great future. GO CULLEN!
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By: Tayanne on 8/11/2008 11:21AM
My son is a competitive swimmer at 11 and is one of the top swimmers in his age group in our state. We travel to attend various swim meets and was so excited to watch Cullen be a member of the winning team. I allowed my son to stay up late just to watch Cullen. What an inspiration! We have been following his career for a while and had hoped he would make it to the Olympics. As a parent, I know how expensive it is to swim and the commitment it takes from both the child and the parents to continue on the swimming path. I just hope that more African Americans could have the opportunity to be a part of such a wonderful sport.
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By: BENZLUVA on 8/11/2008 12:43PM
In my humble opinion,Mr Cullen Jones is a bonifide role model.Now maybe instead of practically every young black kid wanting to be another basketball bouncing negro,perhaps now because of Mr Jones some of them might want to be swimmers.I am so impressed with the idea of this young brother making the olympic team.I am glad that my late parents made sure I learned how to swim when I was 10 years old.37 years later and it is my favorite sport.I am glad I lived to see a brother representing in this sport on an olympic level.We still need more BLACK kids and people participating in this wonderful sport.
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By: MissDLB on 8/11/2008 1:33PM
It is truly wonderful to read about the story and triumphs of Cullen Jones, especially after the sad news that has enveloped everyone this past weekend. One of Cullen's first experiences swimming as a boy almost ended tragically. But he fought through that near drowning experience and found his passion. Let that be a lesson to people of ALL ages. I'm an African-American female in my 40's, and I don't know how to swim...guess what I'm going to learn how to do? You're a beautiful brother, Mr. Jones. You look great in gold!
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By: Tamika on 8/11/2008 6:16PM
Cullen, Amazing. Awesome. Where were you when the photo Ops were happening? Did you go to the bathroom. We saw the whole race and at the end when the win happened you came after the cheering and the win. We were looking for you so you wouldn't miss the photo Op with you and Phelps! You were AMAZING. The team was Amazing. The best thing I've seen yet. But I did want to see you getting props right when the win happened... keep it in mind for the next one. Stay by the pool till the race is finished.
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By: Not So Fast... on 8/11/2008 9:19PM
That Cullen Jones is part of a USA Team that finished in World Record time in the semi-finals and in the finals is simply amazing.
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By: Adrienne G on 8/12/2008 12:07AM
I know that many of you feel this way - the pride when you first saw Cullen Jones and listened to what he had to say. It's like a family member won the gold! I'm so excited for Cullen Jones and what he accomplished but more importantly, the fact that he understood, even before he won, that to whom much is given, much is required. Before winning the gold, Cullen Jones was out there participating in clinics and traveling around the country encouraging young AA Hispanic children to get interested in swimming. We are a diverse people (as we well know) but Cullen is one more example that nothing is out of bounds for us, no sport out of reach.
Continued success Cullen!!!
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By: a realist on 8/12/2008 11:14AM
We are proud of this young man. A true champion. Congratulations Cullen.
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By: a realist on 8/12/2008 11:19AM
One thing I wish, is for people to stop saying that Blacks can't/don't swim. My whole family are swimmers. So people please stop repeating the lie that Blacks don't swim.
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