Cullen Jones is in full press mode as he prepares for the inaugural Cullen Jones Diversity Invitational on Oct. 11-13 at the Mecklenburg County Aquatics Center in Charlotte, N.C.
Cullen hosted the media of Charlotte this morning to spread the word and message of his first meet. The event features a parent talk hosted by Debra Jones and Cullen on Friday night at 7:30 pm. This talk is open to the public and will discuss a wide range of topics that are important to Debra and Cullen. (Please RSVP to the event by emailing [email protected].)
Cullen, who is swimming in the meet, is working to inspire and show the competitors of the meet what they can aspire to in their swim careers.
All other portions for the meet are reserved for those competing in the meet.
Stay tuned! A Cullen Jones video about making choices to go to college will be released later today.
The release below from Oct 6, 2013 is courtesy of the Cullen Jones Diversity Invitational.
Four-time Olympic medalist Cullen Jones, a long-time advocate for drowning prevention and swim safety, the Queen City Dolphins, Charlotte’s minority-based competitive swim team, and Speedo, the world’s leading swim brand, will host more than 500 swimmers at the first-ever Cullen Jones Diversity Invitational (CJDI), a three-day, USA Swimming-sanctioned short course (25 yard) swim meet to be held Oct. 11-13 at the Mecklenburg County Aquatics Center in Charlotte, N.C.
After nearly drowning at the age of five, Jones has worked throughout his career to help reduce the drowning rate among minority youths in the U.S., sharing his personal experience as part of the USA Swimming Foundation’s “Make A Splash” initiative and as the face of Speedo’s “Learn to Swim” program and associated product line. Building on Jones’ mission, the Cullen Jones Diversity Invitational was created as a multi-ethnic, world-class swim meet focused on competition, education and fundraising to celebrate diversity and help grow the sport.
“I’m very proud to host the upcoming Cullen Jones Diversity Invitational,” said Jones, who won silver in the 50m Freestyle, gold in the 4x100m Medley Relay, and silver in the 4x100m Freestyle Relay at the 2012 Olympic Games last summer in London.
Cullen Jones is an Olympic Champion & the star of the Make a Splash Tour. (Image courtesy of Speedo USA)
“IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN A DREAM OF MINE TO BRING THE SPORT OF SWIMMING TO A BROADER AUDIENCE,” JONES ADDED. “THE CJDI IS DESIGNED TO HELP SUPPORT – AND ENCOURAGE – DIVERSITY IN SWIMMING BY BRINGING TOGETHER KIDS OF ALL BACKGROUNDS AND GIVING THEM THE CHANCE TO COMPETE IN AN ELITE EVENT, ALL WHILE RAISING MONEY TO SUPPORT THIS IMPORTANT CAUSE. IT’S GOING TO BE A TERRIFIC EVENT!”
Swimmers ages 8-18 will compete in a maximum of four individual events per day plus relays at the CJDI; point scoring will be on an eight-place basis with ribbons awarded to the top eight finishers in each individual event and top three finishers in the relays. Top male and female high point award winners will be named at the end of the meet. All entrants will be outfitted in custom Speedo / Cullen Jones Diversity Invitational swim caps.
With a focus on community and education, the Cullen Jones Diversity Invitational will also include a Parents Seminar, hosted by Cullen’s mother, Debra Jones, as well as a Coaches Social, where coaches can come together to learn about swim safety and discuss ways to help grow and expand diversity within the sport of swimming. An evening party on Saturday, Oct. 12 will encourage swimmers to interact and meet new friends; Jones and other special guests – including some of Jones’ Olympic teammates – will sign autographs for meet participants and fans.
Money raised through sponsorships to the Cullen Jones Diversity Invitational will go to support various 501c3 organizations that focus on diversity, including swim clubs that promote diversity, programs that emphasize the importance of a healthy and active lifestyle, and organizations that demonstrate a steadfast commitment to diversity and inclusion.
Jones joined Team Speedo earlier this year, signing a multi-year agreement with the brand through 2017. Dedicated to the swimming community across all levels, Speedo’s partnership with Jones and the Cullen Jones Diversity Invitational furthers the brand’s ongoing commitment to the grassroots growth of the sport.
CULLEN JONES DIVERSITY INVITATIONAL DETAILS
WHAT: On Tuesday, October 8th, just prior to the first-ever Cullen Jones Diversity Invitational, four-time Olympic Gold Medalist and event host Cullen Jones will hold a media availability to discuss the inaugural swim meet and his mission to celebrate diversity in swimming and promote the sport among minority communities. Jones will also be available to answer questions about his experience at the 2012 London Olympics and his ongoing training at SwimMAC.
WHO: Cullen Jones, four-time Olympic Gold Medalist swimmer and swim safety advocate
WHEN: Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2013, 11:00 a.m. ET
WHERE: Mecklenburg County Aquatics Center, 800 E Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28202
Cullen Jones, Olympic Champion (image courtesy of Speedo USA)
RSVP: Sarah Waple, Cullen Jones Diversity Invitational, Public Relations, (484) 753-1175, [email protected]
What level meet is this? White/Red or Blue or JO Max or something else?