Guyanese-American swimmer is adamant about having his mother, poolside, at the Olympics

THE rush of water, the pressure of holding one’s breath, and the intense focus required are just a few elements that make swimming the competitive sport it is. This year, the 2024 Paris Olympics will see Guyanese-raised Raekwon Noel take to La Seine, arguably one of the French city’s most famous rivers, where most of the aquatic events are being held this time around.

At just 18 years old, Raekwon has spent 15 formative years in Guyana, where he developed his passion for swimming. Since then, he has been making magnificent strides in his field. As he prepares for the Olympics, Raekwon says one thing could make the experience better: Having his mom by his side.

Most of Reakwon’s childhood was spent in Guyana, a time he credits as being deeply impactful. “I had a lot of fun during my time there,” he reminisced. “I knew, growing up, that I would eventually have to move because I was born here in the US. It was really special to me at the time,” he told ‘the Pepperpot’ via telephone.

He moved back to the United States a few years ago amidst the pandemic. Although a tough decision, it was made to help develop the passion swimming had sparked in him. “During ‘COVID’, there weren’t any pools open, so we couldn’t really get access to pools to be able to swim and stuff like that.”

Currently attending the University of Indiana, and living in New Jersey with his dad, Raekwon is always on the lookout for better, bigger opportunities in his field. “I just look for better opportunities. I knew that I had a lot left in my career, and I needed to move here to see better improvement,” he said.

However, Guyana has left an indelible mark on Reakwon. He stated, “The Guyanese schooling system is a little bit higher than the American one. And, swimming-wise, it was also easy because of the discipline. Guyana really moulds you into someone who can reach another level.”

Furthermore, Raekwon says his self-discipline was developed and nurtured during his years in Guyana. “I took all my discipline and all my rules of life that I learned in Guyana and applied them here, and it was really easy to adapt,” he said.

Throughout the last three years, Reakwon’s talent has reached new heights. As he explained, “To move from going a certain time in the 100-meter butterfly, I think when I left Guyana, it was probably like a 104. Now I’m at a 55. That’s an entire nine-second drop, which is really big in three years or so.”

Raekwon says that he will be attending the Olympics is still sinking in. “People still text me about it on a day-to-day basis. It’s a lot, currently, but I’m just having fun with it right now,” said, adding: “I’m going to this Olympics to get as much experience as possible. Going to an Olympics as a teenager is not necessarily the easiest thing in the world; to go there is a privilege and an honour. I’m just excited to see what we do there; I’m excited to race.”

His mom, Raekwon says, is his best friend; his biggest supporter, and one of his greatest inspirations. “My mom is my best friend. I call her every night, because she still lives in Guyana. I live here with my dad; we call every day. She’s really special to me. She’s really important in my swimming career also.”

This is why Raekwon would like to have his mom with him at the Olympics. “It’s really important to me that she’s there at the Olympics with me. She’s been a part of my swimming journey since I was four. To have her there at the biggest stage in the world is really important to me.”

The family has launched a GoFundMe to help Reakwon’s mother make it to Paris. His mother, Ushaka, lives at Diamond, East Bank Demerara, here in Guyana, and is just as enthusiastic to go to the Olympics as Raekwon is to have her there. “We have a GoFundMe that anyone can donate to. It’s helpushakaattendtheparisolympicgames,” he stated.

Looking back, Raekwon says he will be representing the country that has taught him so much. “Although I was born in the U.S., Guyana has been a huge part of my life growing up as well. I’ve lived there for 15 years. I look back at it, and see that I accomplished so much in Guyana, and I also learned so much from the people in Guyana.”

Raekwon is asking Guyanese everywhere to support his venture to send his mom to Paris. He says Guyanese are the most supportive people he knows. “Guyana has some of the most supportive people known. To be able to represent them at one of the highest levels possible, actually the highest level possible, is really special. It’s really an honor.”

“My mom is my best friend,” Raekwon says, “Having her watch me compete on the world’s biggest stage would mean everything.” As Raekwon prepares to represent two nations, he carries with him the lessons, discipline, and love instilled by his Guyanese upbringing and his mother’s guidance. With each stroke, he’ll be bridging the gap between his Guyanese roots and his American future.

Regardless of the medals he may win, Raekwon Noel has already achieved something remarkable. He has shown that with passion, perseverance, and the love of family, one can truly make a splash on the global stage.