Athletes: Swimming, Cullen Jones

Speaking Topics: Diversity, Black Heritage, Overcoming Adversity, Importance of Learning to Swim, Olympic Journey, Motivation

Cullen Jones proved that he is one of the fastest swimmers on the planet in 2008 when he became the second African-American in history to win an Olympic Gold medal in swimming. Cullen added to his medal count at the 2012 London Olympic Games with a Silver medal in the Men’s 4x100m Freestyle Relay, as well as a Silver in the individual 50m Freestyle.

An ambassador for African-American swimmers, Jones aims to shatter stereotypes one lap at a time, eager to spread his message that black kids can swim, too. Jones accomplished just that by helping the Men’s 4x100 Freestyle Relay Team in 2008 win the Gold medal in a comeback for the ages. In a race soaked with drama and subplots, the Americans shattered the world record they had just set hours prior during prelims, blistering through the water in 3 minutes, 8.24 seconds. Jones went on to break the 50m Freestyle American record and won Gold in the Men's 4x100m Freestyle relay at the 2009 World Championships.

Jones started making history when he became the first African-American to break a swimming World Record and to win a Gold Medal at the World University Games. Today, he continues to make history by giving back to the community through motivational speaking, youth clinics, and private lessons. Working with USA Swimming Foundation’s Make a Splash Program, Jones is dedicated to traveling coast to coast to promote the importance of minorities learning to swim.

A talented and dynamic speaker, Jones has spoken to universities, corporations and non-profits regarding his Olympic experiences and overcoming the odds.

STATS

Birthday: February 29, 1984
Hometown: New Brunswick, NJ
Residence: Charlotte, NC
Sport: Swimming

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

 · 2012 Olympic Silver Medalist: Men’s 4x100m Freestyle Relay

 · 2012 Olympic Silver Medalist: Individual Men’s 50m Freestyle

 · 2009 5th Place World Championship (50m Freestyle)

 · 2008 Olympic Gold Medalist: Men’s 4x100m Freestyle Relay

 · 2007 World Champion (4x100m Freestyle Relay)

 · 2006 Fastest Swimmer in the World (50m Freestyle)

 · World Record Holder (4x100 FR-R)

 · First African-American to break a swimming World Record

 · First African-American to win a Gold Medal at the World University Games

 · Pan Pacific Games Gold Medalist

 · NCAA Champion