Cullen Jones is a world champion swimmer, world record holder and Olympic gold medalist who has made it his mission to spread the important message of water safety and drowning prevention. After a near-drowning experience as a child, Cullen was immediately put in swim lessons, where it became clear very quickly that he had a natural talent as a swimmer. Cullen worked tirelessly to shatter stereotypes and to help promote diversity and inclusion in the sport. He became the first African American man to win a gold medal at the World University Games in 2005, and the first Black swimmer to hold a World Record. In his Olympic swimming career, Cullen won 4 medals - earning a gold medal in 2008 in the 4x100 Freestyle Relay - also known as the Greatest Relay in Olympic History - then 2 silvers (4x100m freestyle relay and 50m freestyle) and a gold medal in 4x100 medley relay the 2012 games. Now retired from competitive swimming, Cullen continues to make waves for water safety, advocating for access to life-saving swim lessons for ALL children. Cullen serves as an ambassador and board member of the USA Swimming Foundation, the philanthropic arm of USA Swimming, and works with Goldfish Swim School to advocate for water safety and enjoy being a Goldfish Dad to his son Ayvn.
