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VIDEO: "ESSENCE" Interviews Olympic Medalist Cullen Jones

ESSENCE interviews Olympic gold medalist and swimming hotness Cullen Jones, who shares the story of his success. Jones also discusses his work teaching swimming to inner-city youth and reducing drowning fatalities.

Jones has twice been ranked the world's fastest swimmer. Jones swam into history at the 2008 Beijing Games by earning a gold medal in the 4x100M free relay. That's when he became only the nation's second Black gold medalist in swimming.The New York City native took silver earlier last month in the same event  with teammates Michael Phelps, Ryan Lochte and Nathan Adrian. Jones also won the silver medal in the 50M freestyle at London 2012 Games. 

Watch the interview WHEN YOU JUMP ...

SPORNO: Cullen Jones Takes Silver in 50M Freestyle at London 2012

PHOTOS: AP, GETTY

Olympic gold medalist and swimming hotness Cullen Jones strikes an abtastic pose before he adds another medal to his growing collection. Jones took the silver medal in the 50 meter freestyle today at the London 2012 Games.

France's Forent Manaudau won the race in 21.34 seconds, followed by Jones in 21.54—the same time Jones had posted in the semifinals. Brazil's Cesar Cielo claimed the bronze by finishing in 21.59," reports the Star-Ledger.

Jones swam into history at the 2008 Beijing Games by earning a gold medal in the 4x100M free relay. The New York City native took silver earlier this week in the same event  with teammates Michael Phelps, Ryan Lochte and Nathan Adrian. Jones has twice been ranked the world's fastest swimmer.

Two more photos AFTER THE JUMP ...

SPORNO: Silver Medals for Cullen Jones, Team USA in 4 x 100m

PHOTOS: STAR LEDGER, GETTY, AP

Adrian Nathan, Cullen Jones, Ryan Lochte and Michael Phelps of the United States won the silver medals in the Men's 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay final last night at the London 2012 Olympic Games. Team USA lost to France in a hotly contested relay. Russia won bronze.

At the Beijing 2008 Games, Jones, Lochte, Phelps and Jason Lezak swam into history with a world record and gold medal in the same event. Jones also became only the nation's second Black gold medalist in swimming.

Swimming hotness Cullen Jones has twice been ranked the world's fastest swimmer. He will also compete in the 50m and 100m. A few more photos AFTER THE JUMP ...

SPORNO: Olympic Hotness Cullen Jones Earns Spot at London 2012

PHOTOS: Getty

Olympic gold medalist and swimming hotness Cullen Jones has earned a spot on the 2012 USA Swimming Olympic in London. Jones heads to his second straight Olympics after winning silver on Friday in the men’s 100-meter freestyle Olympic swimming trials. Jones time was 48.46s.

At the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Jones swam into history as the United States' second black gold medalist in swimming. Anthony Ervin was the first, winning the 50m freestyle at Athens 2000. Jones won his medal in the 4x100 relay team, which set a world record and edged France by virtue of Jason Lezak’s dramatic win in the last leg. Lezak will also be returning to the 2012 Olympics.

Bravo. One more photo AFTER THE JUMP ...

SPORNO: Olympic Hotness Cullen Jones 50M Wins Swim-Off

IMAGES: REUTERS

Olympic gold medalist and swimming hotness Cullen Jones earned the final spot on the United States team for the World Championships in July in Shanghai. Jones held off rising swimming star Josh Schneider in a "dramatic" two-man 50 meter swim-off "that drew some 1,000 fans to their feet at Mecklenburg County Aquatic Center," reported the Charlotte News-Observer.

Jones beat Schneider by four-hundredths of a second, winning in 22.24 seconds. The swim-off was required because both posted identical times at the United States senior nationals last August.

At the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Jones swam into history as the United States' second black gold medalist in swimming. Jones was ranked first in the world in the 50M in 2007.

Below, Jones get a lil love from fellow Olympic gold medalist Ryan Lochte (source). More images, watch the race and Cullen Jones' (ahem) shirtless post-race interview AFTER THE JUMP ...

Cullen Jones Breaks American Record in 50M Freestyle

Sorry for being a day or two late on this one. Rod 2.0 fave Cullen Jones is back in the news and breaks the American record in the 50-meter freestyle at the U.S. National Championships in Indianapolis.

The Olympic gold medalist and swimming hotness—wearing the controversial Speedo LZR Racer suit—touched in 21.41, lowering the old mark of 21.47 set by Garrett Weber-Gale at last year's Olympic trials. Jones edged Weber-Gale in a swim-off for the second spot in the event at the world championships later this month in Rome.

WHEN YOU JUMP, video and more photos of Cullen Jones doing his thing and breaking the record. Maybe this is why a certain redneck swim club refused admittance to 65 black and Hispanic schoolchildren?

 

Cullen Jones Begins New Swimming Program for Inner City Youth

Rod 2.0 fave Cullen Jones returns to the news. While some Olympic gold medalist are cashing in for quick endorsement deals, Cullen Jones takes some time off from training to establish a diversity swimming program for inner city youth.

The Bronx-born swimming phenom was the lone black on the swimming team in Beijing. Cullen swam into history as the United States' second black gold medalist in swimming for the 4x1000 meter freestyle relay with Michael Phelps, Garrett Weber-Gale and Jason Lezak. Jones trained at Newark's John F. Kennedy pool and now that he has some time off from training, plans to use the prestige and celebrity of his gold medalist status to implement a diversity swimming program for inner city youth.

Statistics show 58 percent of black children can't swim, compared to 31 percent of whites, according to the Star Ledger, "already has $10,000 from Bank of America, one of his sponsors, toward a program to change that. Jones says, "I hope a kid can see this and say, 'Wow, a black swimmer and he's got a gold medal.'"

Only last year, Jones was ranked first in the world in the 50 meter freestyle but did not qualify for the Olympic trials. Cullen Jones hopes to qualify for the 2012 Olympics in London to win an individual gold medal in the event. And we'll be watching.

Cullen Jones Plans to Put Fame to Promote Diversity [NJ]
Obama Stands Alone on National Podium [Newsday]

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NASA Designed Speedo's New LZR Racer Suit for Olympics

If you've been watching the Olympic swimming events, and who isn't, you've probably noticed the new one-piece swimsuit worn by Cullen Jones, Michael Phelps and all the top swimmers.& ; Since the games began in Beijing, at least seven swimming world records have fallen and many people credit Speedo's LZR Racer with streamlining technology to help create the perfect record-breaking storm.

How much of a factor is a subject of much debate. Speedo's LZR Racer, which was developed in cooperation with NASA and designed to reduce drag, has received considerable attention for its laser-bonded seams and its ability to increase oxygen intake by 5%.

It also compresses a swimmer's body so much, it often takes an athlete 30 minutes or more to put it on -- one inch at a time. Zimbabwe's Kristy Coventry said putting on the suit is so painful on her fingers, she has to put band-aids on them all the time. But she wouldn't dare wear anything else. Why give your competitors an edge?

"I think everyone is wearing the suit now, so we're on kind of a level playing field," said Coventry, who set a world record in the semifinals of the 100-meter backstroke. "Technology in all sports keep advancing, and I think they will as technology grows. I think sports kind of have to keep up with that technology. It's a great suit. I love it."

MSNBC reports five NASA scientists are in Beijing and traveling with Team USA's swimming team.

The Los Angeles Times reports of "the 36 medals awarded thus far in China, 33 of them have gone to athletes wearing the LZR Racer. Since the suit made its debut in February, it's been used to break 57 world records." The new swimming pool design also factors in the record-breaking. The new pools& ; in Beijing are three meters deep, most pools in previous Olympics were only two meters deep, and "now feature 10 lanes so the two outside lanes can remain empty" to reduce turbulence.

Speedo claims the new LZR Racer "is a swimming revolution", and, at this point, few would argue with them. But we're sure many gay men probably prefer the classic Speedo, which is more revealing and gives a "lift" to the athlete's best assets.

Olympic Swimmers Are Smashing Records [LAT]
Olympic Dreams, Fabric and Seams [Examiner]

Olympic Gold Medalist Cullen Jones "Thanks Mom" in New Commercial

If you're becoming addicted to the Olympics television coverage and all things Cullen Jones, you may enjoy this new commercial for Johnson & Johnson. "Thanks, Mom" is a tribute to the Olympic gold medalist swimmer, his mother, and, mothers in general. The spot began airing last night on NBC and MSNBC and aired before and after that super-dramatic 4x100-meter freestyle relay where Cullen Jones, Michael Phelps, Garrett Weber-Gale and Jason Lezak won the gold for Team USA.

Cullen says mom always called him her "little water baby" and later told him: "If you're going to take up swimming, you're going to have to see it all the way to the end. There is no quitting."

Olympic triathalete Jarrod Shoemaker is also featured in the campaign.

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Cullen Jones Becomes Second Black Swimmer to Win Gold Medal

Team USA goes for the gold and wins, again, setting a new world record in the 4x100-meter freestyle relay team. While much of the huge media attention was around teammate Michael Phelps' quest for an unprecedented eight golds, Rod 2.0 fave Cullen Jones also swims into history as the United States' first second black gold medalist in swimming. It was a sweet moment the Bronx-born swimming phenom who missed his chance to qualify on a second berth on the U.S. Olympic team.

The dramatic relay was completed in a world-record time of 3 minutes, 8.24 seconds and considered one of the most dramatic swimming meets ever. Gold medal sensation Michael Phelps swam the first leg, Garrett Weber-Gale the second and Cullen Jones the third. But "it was Jason Lezak's fastest split in history" in the final leg at 46.06 seconds "and mad dash in the final 50 meters that had everyone buzzing."

Cullen Jones is one of the few blacks in swimming and has become an inspiration to youth across the country. As late as last year, he was ranked first in the world in the 50m.

The 24-year-old Bronx born phenom becomes the first second black American swimmer to win Olympic gold.& ; Anthony Ervin was the first, winning the 50-meter freestyle in a tie with Gary Hall Jr. at Athens in 2000. A few scenes from the win and the medals ceremony, where Michael Phelps and Cullen Jones spend most of the time in each other's arms.

Irvington's Cullen Jones Makes History [NJ Star]

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