Statistics reveal that 70% of the African American population cannot swim. But Cullen Jones, the first African American to win an Olympic Gold Medal in the 4×100-meter freestyle relay, is defying those odds.
A leap year baby born on February 29, 1984, this New York bred man almost drowned at the age of 5 in a local park. As a result, his mother enrolled him in swimming classes. Though swimming was not easy, Jones appreciated the challenge and soon excelled in it.
Jones earned a swimming scholarship to North Carolina State University, where he was a four-time ACC Champion.
With all of his success in college, Jones wanted to take his competition to the next level so he tried out for the Olympic Trials in 2008. In the trials, he set an American record in the 50-meter freestyle with a time of 21.59.
He qualified for the 4×100-meter relay team for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Jones swam the 3rd leg of the foursome, finishing in 3:08.24.
Jones also competed in the 2012 London Olympic Games. There, he won Gold in the 4×100-meter Medley Relay, and Silver in the 4×100-meter Freestyle Relay and the Individual Men’s 50-meter Freestyle.
In his spare time, Jones volunteers with various charities giving back to the community. He is a spokesperson for the Make a Splash Initiative, where he helps to promote the importance of knowing how to swim.
For his amazing strides in swimming, Cullen Jones is a sports icon.
(Image courtesy of CullenJones.com)
The Watter Girl 