cullen jones | Loop21

Olympian Cullen Jones Promotes Golden Lesson

16 hours ago

The decorated athlete advocates water safety.

With summer just around the corner, many kids will flock to their local swimming pools or water parks to cool off. Before anyone rushes to simmer down, Olympian, Cullen Jones, wants to talk to you about water safety.

He has brought home gold and silver medals, but Jones isn’t done making waves. He is working towards promoting water safety and encouraging minorities to learn how to swim.

Jones, who nearly drowned in a guarded community pool at the age of 5, is hoping to cause preventative measures and increase awareness.

About 70 percent of African Americans kids don’t know how to swim, according to the USA Swimming Foundation. Access to a community pool and affordable lessons contribute to the numbers.

"Being African American myself and knowing people in my own family, we've been taught that this is something we don't do. We stay away from water. We don't swim," Jones said in an interview with AP. "We're trying to change a full cultural perspective on this.”

Over the last five years, Jones has instructed thousands of children with a motto that swimming is fun and continues to do so. Kudos, Mr. Olympian.

How important are water safety foundations amid the hot season?

Photo Credit: USA Foundation

[SUBSCRIBE TO LOOP 21 RSS FEED]

Advertisment

Summer of '97: The Heat of A First Kiss

Job Opportunities Opening Up for People With Autism

Divorced Women Seeking Revenge With Plastic Surgery

Twitter

@sigourneynunez @CullenJones

Facebook Generation is Fed Up with Facebook

Are You a Part of a Car-less Home?

Nationwide Dip in Teen Pregnancies

POTUS at Prom

Salute to Success: Eva Longoria Graduates from Cal State Northridge

Comments

« Prev article Next article »

Olympic Medalist Looks To Save Lives, Dispel Fears of Swimming

3 months ago

Cullen Jones is a record holding swimmer and a dedicated advocate for Make A Splash.

Don't worry about getting your hair wet or your fear of drowning, Cullen Jones says there's nothing to it but to do it. He's talking about swimming. The record holding swimmer has won a gold medal and two silver medals, in addition to his own individual medal, but has still made time to give back to many children and parents that have a fear of swimming. Teaming up with 'Make A Splash,' an anti-drowning initiative from The USA Swimming Team, Jones has been working to teach children and parents (particularly African American and Latino parents) the many benefits of learning how to swim.

Jones knows first hand of the fear many people have when it comes to swimming; when he was a child, he nearly drowned. But instead of walking away from the experience, his mother used the near-death situation as motivation for him to learn how to swim. This is the same motivation Jones is looking to instill in children all around the country. In 2012, he toured 9 cities with 'Make A Splash' while still competing in the 2012 London Olympics. He doesn't seem to be stopping in 2013 either. As long as "kids are unfortunately out there drowning," he has a platform, and they are willing to listen, he says he's down for the cause. (NewsOne)

[SUBSCRIBE TO LOOP 21 RSS FEED]

Advertisment