Edghill bows out in opening round.

GUYANA’S top men’s swimmer Raekwon Noel produced one of his better showings in his men’s 400 metres freestyle, but was off his personal best on Saturday when he competed at the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris, France.

Noel swam four minutes 02.29 seconds in Paris, marginally off his personal best and national record of four minutes 01.70 seconds done in May at the Speedo Sectionals at the Florida Aquatics Training Centre.

He put in a solid effort in France, placing second, but could not gain a place in the finals in the 400 men’s freestyle race at the Summer Games because of time.

He was just behind winner IIias El Fallaki of Morocco, who stopped the clock at four minutes 01.59 seconds with third going to Costa Rica’s Alberto Vega in four minutes 03.14 seconds.

Noel after his race told the media that ‘It has been an absolute pleasure to
represent Guyana at the 2024 Paris Olympics.’

He added that ‘My games have come to an end and I am so proud of what
I have achieved; I am so grateful for the support of the Guyanaese people at this time.’
He singled out clubs, South Jersey Aquatic and Dorado Speed swim, the Guyana Defence Force and the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) for the support he received and finished by saying ‘See you again in four years.’

Meanwhile, in the table tennis arena, Chelsea Edghill went up against Cameroon’s Sarah Hanffou on Saturday morning in the iconic French capital.

Hannffou, who had a best ranking of 77 in the world, took a strong opening set 11-6 to open her Olympic quest with a bang, but Guyanese Edghill didn’t back
down as she came roaring back to clinch a tough set 11-9 to level things
up.

The third set also saw the pair going back and forth as it finished in similar
fashion 11-9, but this time in Sarah’s favour as she extended her advantage
two sets to one.

The Cameroonian went into high gear to change the momentum in the
fourth set, taking it 11-3.
Despite Edghill’s best efforts in the final set, Sarah closed it out 11-8 to
earn her place in the next round after the four to one sets victory.

The other athletes competing at the games are two-time olympian
Emanuel Archibald in the men’s 100 meters, three-time olympian Aliyah
Abrams turning out in the women’s 400 metres. They will hit the track on
the 3rd and 5th of August respectively.
Two-time olympian and the country’s youngest-ever representative at the
games at the last Olympics and the only swimmer to win a race for Guyana,
Aleka Persaud, will hit the pool in the women’s 100 metres freestyle on
Tuesday, July 30th.
The XXXIII Olympiad runs until August 11 and features 10,672 athletes: from
196 nations in 36 sporting disciplines.

The other members of the Guyana delegation are Chef de Mission,
Garfield Wiltshire; team attaché, Nalini McCoy and Physiotherapist –
Vanessa Wickham.

The GOA executive members also at the games are President Godfrey
Munroe, Secretary General – Vidushi Persaud – McKinnon and Vice
President – Steve Ninvalle and Cristy Campbell.

The end