Olympic Gold Medalist Cullen Jones Makes a Splash

Olympic Gold Medalist Cullen Jones gives swimming lessons to children of Washington, DC during USA Swimming's "Make A Splash" event.

Meet Cullen Jones. At the tender age of 5, Jones almost lost his life in a near death drowning incident at a water park. His answer, becoming an Olympic Gold Medalist swimmer.

On July 13th, Cullen came to the Turkey Thicket Recreation Center in Washington, DC with the Make a Splash Foundation, sponsored by ConocoPhilips, to teach kids how to swim and promote water safety.

These lessons were all in an effort to combat the unfortunate findings in a study conducted by the University of Memphis entitled “Constraints Impacting Minority Swimming Participation.”  One of its key findings regarding African American and Latino respondents was they “were significantly less skilled or comfortable in the pool…”

With even basic swim skills, deaths and near death experiences are more likely to be prevented. Those deaths include the 6-year-old who drowned in the same recreation center the event was held.  As a result of Jones’ near death experience he and his parents can empathize with that family. That empathy is another reason why this cause is so near and dear to his heart.  Cullen stated the three main reasons keeping minorities from the pool are fear, parental support, and physical appearance, all hardly reasons to lead to the loss of a life.

Armed with goggles, swim trunks and a smile, Cullen gave the kids one on one swim lessons.  One young girl clung to Cullen’s neck for dear life and refused to put her head in the water.  Cullen was persistent in working with her and before she knew it she was swimming towards Cullen into the deeper end of the pool. Within 15 minutes she was more confident being in the water. He encouraged the children to swim a little further than thought they could and experience the freedom of the open water.

Reluctantly the kids left the pool, but not without a final hand shake, a final splash, a final smile and a lifetime of quality lessons learned.

For more information on the Make a Splash Foundation visit http://swimfoundation.org/Page.aspx?pid=261