Cullen Jones

Sport: Swimming

Nation: United States of America

DOB: February 29, 1984

Hometown: Irvington, NJ

Career Highlights: Jones will compete in the 50 and 100 meter freestyle, and the 4x100 free relay in his second straight Olympics. “I’ve been dreaming of this forever, of qualifying for two individual events in the Olympics," Jones said. Qualifying for two individual events in London makes up for the disappointment of the trials four years ago, when Jones failed to win a spot in any individual event. That, however, didn't work out too poorly for Jones, who swam on the world record-setting 400 free relay team in Beijing with Michael Phelps, Jason Lezak and Garrett Weber-Gale. The second African-American ever to win an Olympic swimming gold medal, Jones kept a high profile after that victory. He posed for magazine spreads, attended parties and made the rounds on the celebrity circuit but also took on a major role with USA Swimming's Make a Splash campaign that encourages minorities to learn to swim. Jones, who nearly drowned at a water park as a five-year old, broke the 50m free American record and won gold in the 4x100m free relay at the 2009 worlds.

Olympic History: 2008