U.S. Olympic gold medalist Cullen Jones and Puerto Rican Olympian Dan Velez, both former Wolfpack swimmers, were honored at Thursday’s football game.
During a break in play in the first quarter of the game, Jones and Velez walked out on the field, receiving a thunderous standing ovation from the Carter-Finley faithful. Jones’ gold medal hung from his neck, shining under the lights. Before the game, both athletes were honored in a reception at the Murphy Center.
Jones set a world record as a member of the 400 meter free-relay team with a time of 3:08.24.
“It feels great to be home. I’ve seen faces that I haven’t seen in years,” Jones said. “There’s people here that were in the stands, cheering me on, that swam before me.”
Returning to Raleigh has given Jones a moment to relax and enjoy being back home. He has been able to see old and new faces, and catch up with coaches and former teammates at State.
“State is a very great and very large reason in putting me where I am now, and I’m thankful for that. Coach Brooks [Teal] is like a father to me,” Jones said. “And it’s been absolutely amazing to have such a core network of family here.”
Jones is only the third African-American to make the U.S. swim team, and one of the few to earn a gold medal in swimming event. Although he is proud of that fact, it has not served as his main motivation, but rather, just another reason to influence young swimmers.
“I’ve had a lot of people tell me that I’m in the limelight because I’m African American, and you know what, I’m fine with that. But I feel that what I’ve done is something that can be a model for others,” Jones said. “Tiger Woods has done it, Jackie Robinson’s done it and Michael Jordan’s done it. In this position, it would be wrong of me to not spread the word to kids to understand the importance of swimming.”
Jones has been experiencing the whirlwind of interviews and appearances that come with a gold medal. So he has taken advantage of his short time back home in Raleigh, though he will be traveling to Philadelphia this week.
“I travel way too much. I hate being on airplanes. It’s a job now, I travel a lot, and I’m used to airline food,” Jones said. “But I still have my house in Raleigh, I still call that home. I try not to call the Mariott home.”
While traveling has been one of the biggest changes in Jones’ life these days, his contact with fans and young swimmers has been one of the highlights of returning from Beijing.
“Workwise, it’s amazing to talk to kids. It’s so thrilling to be able to look at a kid and tell them I’m an Olympic swimmer, and their eyes just open up and they’re ready to listen to anything I have to say,” Jones’ said.
But the fame isn’t going to go to his head, and Jones will be using his star status in a positive way
“It’s a pedestal that I will not be abusing,” Jones said.
