Cullen Jones
Cullen Jones (right, 2008)
Cullen Jones (born 29 February 1984 in Bronx, New York) is an American freestyle swimmer.
Career
He is coached by David Marsh at Mecklenburg Aquatic Club in Charlotte, North Carolina. In the international swimming scene he is the first time came in 2006 at the Pan Pacific Championships in Victoria in appearance. He studied at the North Carolina State University English and psychology. In summer 2006, he signed a promotional contract with Nike and thus became a professional swimmer.
At the Pan Pacific Championships in 2006 he set a meeting record in the 50m freestyle. He was also part of the successful 4 - × 100 -meter freestyle relay ( with Michael Phelps, Jason Lezak and Neil Walker) who won with a new world record. Only a year later, he won with the same teammates and about the same distance the gold medal at the World Swimming Championships in 2007 in Melbourne.
Jones is the first African - American to a swimming world record ( 4 - × 100 -meter freestyle relay ) holds. He is also only the second African- American who is a U.S. Olympic swimming team after Anthony Ervin part. At the Olympic trials in the USA in 2008, Jones broke the American record in the 50 m freestyle distance, however, was taken from him again the very next day by Garret Weber- Gale.
On the 4 - × 100 -meter freestyle distance of the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing Jones won the gold medal. Four years later at the Summer Olympic Games in London, he won two silver medals over 50 m freestyle and the 4 - × 100 -meter freestyle relay.
Records
Personal best
Long Course
- 50m freestyle - 00:21,59
- 100m freestyle - 00:48,35
Short Course
- 50m freestyle - 00:21,31
- 100m freestyle - 00:49,29