Gold Swimmer Cullen Jones Makes History

1. My son is a competitive swimmer at 11 and is one of the top swimmers in his age group in our state. We travel to attend various swim meets and was so excited to watch Cullen be a member of the winning team. I allowed my son to stay up late just to watch Cullen. What an inspiration! We have been following his career for a while and had hoped he would make it to the Olympics. As a parent, I know how expensive it is to swim and the commitment it takes from both the child and the parents to continue on the swimming path. I just hope that more African Americans could have the opportunity to be a part of such a wonderful sport.

Tayanne at 11:21AM on Aug 11th 2008

2. Can anyone say........HOT???! This man is gorgeous with a capital G.....what a talent, what a smooth smile and a great future. GO CULLEN!

SJC at 11:21AM on Aug 11th 2008

3. Receiving the exchange behind Cullen closed the distance in a remarkable turn for home that gave the last leg that slight gain that sealed the fate for the favored French team and brought the US the Olympic gold in the 4 by 100 relay. Whoever said that blacks can't swim? Why that is as absurd as saying white men can't jump. Hopefully, the astonishing feat of Cullen Jones inspires more black youth to swim competively on a national and international scale.

Analyst at 11:24AM on Aug 11th 2008

4. In my humble opinion,Mr Cullen Jones is a bonifide role model.Now maybe instead of practically every young black kid wanting to be another basketball bouncing negro,perhaps now because of Mr Jones some of them might want to be swimmers.I am so impressed with the idea of this young brother making the olympic team.I am glad that my late parents made sure I learned how to swim when I was 10 years old.37 years later and it is my favorite sport.I am glad I lived to see a brother representing in this sport on an olympic level.We still need more BLACK kids and people participating in this wonderful sport.

BENZLUVA at 12:43PM on Aug 11th 2008

5. It is truly wonderful to read about the story and triumphs of Cullen Jones, especially after the sad news that has enveloped everyone this past weekend. One of Cullen's first experiences swimming as a boy almost ended tragically. But he fought through that near drowning experience and found his passion. Let that be a lesson to people of ALL ages. I'm an African-American female in my 40's, and I don't know how to swim...guess what I'm going to learn how to do? You're a beautiful brother, Mr. Jones. You look great in gold!

MissDLB at 1:33PM on Aug 11th 2008

6. Cullen, Amazing. Awesome. Where were you when the photo Ops were happening? Did you go to the bathroom. We saw the whole race and at the end when the win happened you came after the cheering and the win. We were looking for you so you wouldn't miss the photo Op with you and Phelps! You were AMAZING. The team was Amazing. The best thing I've seen yet. But I did want to see you getting props right when the win happened... keep it in mind for the next one. Stay by the pool till the race is finished.

Tamika at 6:16PM on Aug 11th 2008

7. That Cullen Jones is part of a USA Team that finished in World Record time in the semi-finals and in the finals is simply amazing.

Not So Fast... at 9:19PM on Aug 11th 2008

8. I know that many of you feel this way - the pride when you first saw Cullen Jones and listened to what he had to say. It's like a family member won the gold! I'm so excited for Cullen Jones and what he accomplished but more importantly, the fact that he understood, even before he won, that to whom much is given, much is required. Before winning the gold, Cullen Jones was out there participating in clinics and traveling around the country encouraging young AA Hispanic children to get interested in swimming. We are a diverse people (as we well know) but Cullen is one more example that nothing is out of bounds for us, no sport out of reach.
Continued success Cullen!!!

Adrienne G at 12:07AM on Aug 12th 2008

9. We are proud of this young man. A true champion. Congratulations Cullen.

a realist at 11:14AM on Aug 12th 2008

10. One thing I wish, is for people to stop saying that Blacks can't/don't swim. My whole family are swimmers. So people please stop repeating the lie that Blacks don't swim.

a realist at 11:19AM on Aug 12th 2008

11. you go boy" i am glad to see you in the winners circle. con gradulations" you keep up the great stride. peace power and all good things for you.

lenard .t at 12:14PM on Aug 12th 2008

12. At last we have an African American (Black) champion in swimming-a sport that Blacks have simply not had an opportunity, until recently, to enjoy & master as a wonderful (and cheap...no equipment) a sport as swimming. It is relaxing, gentle on the body, and opens up your life to so many other activities-sailing, diving/snorkeling, canoeing, kayaking, or just being comfortable around water....deep water. If you do not want to be an outdoors person, at least learn how to swim so you [and get your kids (could save their lives) to swimming class at the YMCA...that is where I learned my swimming badges...all the way to shark!].

BLACK PEOPLE CAN AND DO SWIM ALL OVER THE WORLD...IN THE OCEAN NO LESS.....I come from the Caribean/Latin America and Blacks folks there swim damn well. There is an island off the coast of Panama in Central America that is 99% Black (descendants of African slaves brought to the New World by the Spanish). There is a Black woman there who was the masters swimming champion (age 60 & up I believe) in Latin America about ten years ago. She was the only woman in that age group competing the in sport in Latin America so she also swam with men that age and up....She beat them! She swims in the ocean every day. Children as young as seven swim in the ocean off the island. There is no record of a child ever drowning who lived on the island (Isla Grande.
So....forget what you hear, what you have been told, and what you think. Go on...get in...the water is just fine.

Danica at 1:24AM on Aug 13th 2008

13. I BET IF U PUT A LARGE ENOUGH DOLLAR SIGN IN FRONT OF THE SWIMMING GAME, YOU WOULD SEE A WHOLE LOT OF BLACK FOLKS GETTING IN THE WATER.

ERVON NEELY at 10:03PM on Aug 13th 2008

14. I learned how to swim at an early age when my parents signed me along with my other sisters and nieces up at the YWCA of Germantown. Since then I have been swimming competitively starting at the age of eight and continuing through to high school. I loved it! I had the opportunity to travel to different swim clubs where we would be the only black team competing. Others took note I was such a good swimmer. At the age of ten I swam for a team called the Polar Bears. We practiced two times a day at 6am and again at 5pm. In my day there was enough time in the day for swimming. This was the majority of my life shared with basketball. I am an excellent swimmer of all four strokes. I was awarded many trophies and medals, along with my sisters and nieces. I introduced my two children to swimming at an early age, by personally teaching them how to swim and eventually joining the same swim team. At the age of 43 I am introducing more African American children and well as adults to swimming.

Theresa Empson at 1:58PM on Aug 14th 2008

15. I am so proud to see an African American swimmer competing in the Olympics. Cullen Jones is just the second. I feel that there will be more African Americans in the future. Most definitely an African American woman. I always dreamed of swimming in the Olympics someday, but pursued basketball instead. Now at the age of 43 years old, I teach and introduce swimmining to the younger generation so hopefully they my someday fulfill my dream.

Theresa Empson at 2:55PM on Aug 14th 2008