U.S. Olympic Athletes
Cullen Jones
Height: 6-5 (195.6 Cm)
Weight: 195 Lbs (88.5 Kg)
Birthplace: The Bronx, N.Y.
High School: St. Benedict's Prep '02
College: NC State '06
College Major: English (with minor in Psychology)
Coached By: David Marsh / Brooks Teal
Club: Mecklenburg Aquatic Club (MAC-NC)
Weight: 195 Lbs (88.5 Kg)
Birthplace: The Bronx, N.Y.
High School: St. Benedict's Prep '02
College: NC State '06
College Major: English (with minor in Psychology)
Coached By: David Marsh / Brooks Teal
Club: Mecklenburg Aquatic Club (MAC-NC)
Career Highlights
2007 world champion as a member of the men's 400m Freestyle relay...captured gold in championship-record time in the 50m free and was a part of the 400m free relay that set the world record at the 2006 Pan Pacs...became the first African-American swimmer to break a long-course world record...captured his first U.S. national title this summer in the 50m free at the 2006 Nationals...silver medalist in the 50m free at the 2006 SC World Champs, setting the championship record in the semis.
- Olympic Games History: 2008: Gold, 400m FR-R (WR)
- World Champs History: 2007: Gold, 400m FR-R; Silver, 50m FR
- Pan Pacs History: 2006: Gold, 50m FR(CR) & 400m FR-R(WR); 9, 100m FR
- WUGs History: 2005: Gold, 50m FR (8th-fastest time ever by an American at the time)
- SC Worlds History: 2006: Silver, 50m FR(CR-semis); Bronze, 400m FR-R(p)
- Duel in the Pool History: 2007: Gold, 50m FR; Bronze 100m FR
- 2007 World Rankings: 3rd, 50m free; 42nd, 100m free;
- 2006 World Rankings: 1st, 50m free; 16th, 100m free
- 2005 World Rankings: 10th, 50m free
- National Titles: 50m Free (1): '06 SUM
Records
Holds WR in 400m FR-R, set at 2006 Pan Pacific Champs...holds AR in 400m FR-R, set at
2006 Pan Pacific Champs
Additional Honors
- General Accolades: 2006 USA Swimming Breakout Performer of the Year and Relay Performance of the Year (Pan Pac 400m free relay)
- National Teams: 2006 National A Team...2005 National B Team
- All-Star Team: 2006
Personal
- Parents: Ronald and Debra...Ronald (deceased) played basketball at a small college in the Bronx, and Debra was a dancer...Ronald died of lung cancer in 2000 when Cullen was 16
- Notable Relative(s): Distant relative (Rodney Wallace) was a former Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle
- Future Professional Aspirations: Write for a men's fashion magazine, such as "GQ"
- Started Swimming: Age 8
- Sports Played Before Swimming: Gymnastics, basketball
- Nickname(s): "CJ," "Nova"
- Pet(s): One dog (Charlie)
- Hobbies Outside the Pool: Video games, watching movies
- Ultimate Way to Relax: Watch a movie, play some video games and fall asleep
- Most Influential Person: Late father, Ronald, and coach, Ed Nessel
- Charities: Ronald Jones Foundation
- Sponsor(s): Nike, Toyota "Engines of Change"
- Training Stats: Swims 8,000 meters/yards per day, 5-6 hours a day, 6 days a week
- More: Is working with "Do Tell Productions" on a documentary about the Flahery Dolphins, a team from Boston that is made up mostly of kids of color...the film will follow the lives a few swimmers on the team, in addition to Jones' journey to the 2008 Olympic Games
- Favorites: U.S. city: New York City...international destination: London...band: Linkin Park...celebrity: Michael Jordan; "I like to model my attitude after him."...summer activity: going to amusement parks