United States Olympic swimmer Cullen Jones became a household name after his team’s performance during the 4X100 freestyle relay. With the win, Jones became just the second African-American to win gold in a swimming event. The 24-year-old Jones is back from Beijing and I recently had the chance to chat with him in New York City.

P.S: Ladies, he’s single. 
On being back in the United States:

It’s been great. I was really homesick a little bit there. They treated us great in Beijing but it’s always great to come back home. I got a nice warm welcome from everyone I have met and even some folks have recognized me.

On being recognized:

It’s not something we’re used to. Definitely in the swimming community I have made a name for myself and I know a lot of kids know who I am and come up to me. But I haven’t had grown people coming up and saying “Oh yeah, I saw your commercial” or “I saw the race and I’m really proud of you.” It’s a pretty great experience to have.

On what he did after his race in Beijing:

We became instant cheerleaders. We were trying not to disturb our teammates because they needed to rest. We were Team USA cheerleaders at that point. We weren’t able to do anything or go anywhere besides the meet and to support our team.

On the reportedly 100,000 condoms for the athletes in the Olympic Village:

Condoms were available but they weren’t shoved down our throats by any means. If you wanted to get one … or some, you could find them.

On replaying the relay race in his head:

Sometimes. When I do, I get chills all over again. I have only got to see it once. But when I did get to see it, it was nerve-wracking. I don’t know if I can watch it right now because my heart rate gets up and I get nervous all over again.

On what it means to be the second African-American to win gold in a swimming event:

I’m honored. I think that it’s something I know before I wasn’t try to think about because I didn’t want to make myself nervous or didn’t want to think I had to live up to anyone’s expectations except my own. It’s an honor to say that I’m the second Black person.

On his plans for the 2012 Olympics in London:

Planning to do it better. I think I’m in a great situation considering I got third [in the 50 meter freestyle]. It would have been great to be a little better and have a better placement and actually get to swim at the event, but it proves that I’m right there. Just a little more effort. I made a move to Charlotte and it seemed to be a great opportunity for me. Overall, I was just completely focused in on swimming.

On what he listens to before his races:

Mainly hip-hop. I’m an R&B fan but I have to get myself ready. Usually Jay-Z, T.I., Lil’ Wayne.

On the influence of hip-hop across the team:

I think with this generation in general, hip-hop has been very influential and it’s growing. Most of the people on the team, I could say a lyric from a song and they would know exactly what it was. It’s kind of impressive.

On what Michael Phelps is like outside of the pool:

Very relaxed, very chill. It’s kind of like Fight Club; the first rule of swimming is you don’t talk about swimming outside swimming. We don’t really talk about swimming a lot of the times. We talk about current events or whatever we are doing.

On his diet:

A lot of the time with swimming, I have to watch weight. In the past, I had to gain weight but I’m at the point where I can gain it but I have to work hard to lose it. I kind of watch what I eat a little bit better now, especially after I moved to Charlotte. I always thought I had to gain, gain, gain and the coach was like you need to lose, lose, lose.

On how the ladies are treating him:

I’m newly single. So, I have been low key at the moment. [Laughs] I don’t know how to answer that question. I have been just hanging out, having a good time.

On dating other swimmers:

My ex-girlfriend [Maritza Correia] for two years was a swimmer. I think at this point, I’m going to try to stay away from swimmers. No more swimcest.

On the Cullen Jones Diversity Tour:

Right after I got the gold medal, I was at the Hometown Hopefuls center for Bank of America and they ended up giving me $10,000 to help with my diversity tour. That really excited me and it was written all over my face. Since I have gotten it and I have this time off now, it’s really going to help jump start the diversity tour. We are trying to get at least three sites for this year still.

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