Cullen Jones facts for kids
Jones at St. Benedict's with Headmaster Fr. Edwin Leahy
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| Born | February 29, 1984 New York City, New York, U.S. |
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| Height | 6 ft 5 in | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 210 lb | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sport | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sport | Swimming | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Strokes | Freestyle | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Club | Wolfpack Elite | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| College team | North Carolina State University | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Medal record
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Cullen Andrew Jones (born February 29, 1984) is an American former competition swimmer. He is an Olympic gold medalist. Cullen was known for his amazing speed in freestyle sprint races. He helped the American team set a world record in the 4×100-meter freestyle relay. At the 2012 Summer Olympics, he won two silver medals and one gold medal.
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Early Life and Learning to Swim
Cullen Jones was born on Leap day in 1984 in New York City. When he was young, his family moved to Irvington, New Jersey. Cullen learned to swim after a scary experience. At age five, he almost drowned at a water park. This event made his parents want him to learn how to swim safely.
He started swimming with a club team called Metro Express. Later, he joined the Jersey Gators Swim Club. Cullen went to Saint Benedict's Preparatory School in Newark. He graduated in 2002. While in school, he set many swimming records in his county.
College and Professional Swimming
Cullen Jones went to North Carolina State University. He studied English there. He also swam for the NC State Wolfpack team from 2003 to 2006. He competed in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).
Becoming a Professional Swimmer
In the summer of 2006, Cullen became a professional swimmer. He signed a deal with Nike. Soon after, he showed his talent at the 2006 Pan Pacific Swimming Championships. He set a new record in the 50-meter freestyle race. His time was 21.84 seconds.
He also helped his team break a world record in the 4×100-meter freestyle relay. His teammates were Michael Phelps, Neil Walker, and Jason Lezak.
World Championships Success
In 2007, Cullen won another gold medal. This was in the 4×100-meter freestyle relay at the 2007 World Aquatics Championships. He swam with the same teammates as before.
Olympic Achievements
2008 Beijing Olympics
| 2008 Summer Olympics | ||
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| Gold | 4x100 m freestyle relay | 3:08.24 (WR) |
Cullen Jones made history as the first African-American swimmer to hold a world record. This record was for the 4×100-meter freestyle relay. Before the 2008 Olympics, he broke the American record in the 50-meter freestyle.
At the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China, he won a gold medal. This was for the 4×100-meter freestyle relay. The team set a new world record with a time of 3:08.24. His teammates were Michael Phelps, Jason Lezak, and Garrett Weber-Gale.
2012 London Olympics
| 2012 Summer Olympics | ||
|---|---|---|
| Gold | 4x100 m medley relay | 3:29.35 |
| Silver | 50 m freestyle | 21.54 |
| Silver | 4x100 m freestyle relay | 3:10.38 |
Cullen qualified for his second Olympics in 2012. He finished first in the 50-meter freestyle at the U.S. Olympic Trials.
At the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, Cullen won two silver medals. These were in the 50-meter freestyle and the 4×100-meter freestyle relay. He also earned a gold medal in the 4×100-meter medley relay. He swam in the early races for this event.
The 2012 U.S. Olympic swim team was special. It was the first U.S. Olympic swim team with more than one black swimmer. Cullen Jones, Anthony Ervin, and Lia Neal were all part of this team.
Fastest Times (Long Course)
Cullen Jones achieved impressive times in his swimming career. Here are some of his best results in long course pools:
| Event | Time | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 50 m freestyle | 21.40 | July 2009 |
| 100 m freestyle | 48.31 | July 2008 |
See also
In Spanish: Cullen Jones para niños
- Diversity in swimming
- List of Olympic medalists in swimming (men)
- List of United States records in swimming
- List of World Aquatics Championships medalists in swimming (men)
- List of world records in swimming
- World record progression 4 × 100 metres freestyle relay
