Just how significant is Cullen Jones to swimming? From Swim News.com:
"... Just six black swimmers have made it to the Olympic podium throughout the sport's history: Enith Brigitha (2), Anthony Nesty, Neisser Bent, Anthony Ervin, Malia Metella and Maritza Correia - seven medals for black swimmers out of almost 400 possibilities during the 108 years from Athens to Athens. That's fewer than Michael Phelps on his own. USA Swimming says that less than 1 per cent of America's 232,000 competitors are African-Americans. [Link]
I did a search on some of these names, Anthony Nesty is a coach for the Florida Gators Women's swim team and he beat Matt Biondi to win a gold medal. [Link]
Enith Brigitha pictured to the right was the first female black swimmer to win 2 medals in 1976. [Link]
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