Cullen Jones, an NC State grad, won silver in the men’s 50-meter freestyle Friday at the Olympics, finishing just .20 seconds behind France’s Florent Manaudou.
Jones, who won a silver medal earlier as part of the US 4×100 freestyle relay that finished second to France, picked up a gold medal in the relay four years ago.
Here’s what they’re saying about Jones.
Jones knew he had out-touched the two men he believed were his primary competition in the Olympic 50-meter freestyle final. He looked at the scoreboard, ready to raise his arm and pump his fist. “I thought I was in the lead,” Jones said. “I really did. I thought I had it. And when I hit the wall I was like, “Ooooh!! Oh…. No.”
http://www.newsobserver.com/2012/08/03/2243107/florent-manaudou-wins-50-free.html#storylink=cpy
Jones’ time is good enough to win gold on most nights.
Did he need it? Not to accomplish what he still considers his primary objective, to be a role model in the African-American community and get more urban kids in the pool. He brought it up unsolicited Friday night, proudly noting that he has “taken that torch. I’m not the first, but it has been handed to me. I take that role very seriously, and I hold myself to those (standards).”
http://www.nj.com/olympics/index.ssf/2012/08/london_olympics_cullen_jones_f_1.html
He told NBC 4 New York after the semi Wednesday he’d been dreaming of a gold medal his entire life, and that it would “mean the world” to him and for his causes. But the silver is surely making his hometown proud, as Irvington continues rallying behind Jones as they watch his events from New Jersey. He works with the USA Swimming Foundation’s Make a Splash program, dedicated to helping minorities learn how to swim.
http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/Cullen-Jones-Silver-Medal-London-Olympics-50-Meter-Freestyle-Final-Results-Cielo-Manudou-164926866.html
Competitive swimmers like Cullen Jones take years to develop their abilities; but what does it take to become an Olympic class swimmer? “Cullen is the result of 15 years of hard work,’’ said Brooks Teal who coached Jones when the Olympic star swam for NC State between 2003 and 2006.
http://www2.nbc17.com/sports/2012/aug/03/cullen-joness-nc-state-swim-coach-explains-what-it-ar-2491095/
Olympian Cullen Jones may be making a splash in London with two silver medals thus far in these Olympic games. But Jones made a splash in Union County (New Jersey) long before he swam to Olympic glory. Jones is an alumnus of the Jersey Gators swim team in Cranford.
http://springfield.patch.com/articles/olympic-medalist-cullen-jones-has-union-county-connection#photo-212220