TWENTY-YEAR-OLD Olympian Raekwon Noel recently captured three gold medals at the CAC Games in Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic and was given a hero’s welcome when the national swim team returned home.
The youth, who was born in Brooklyn, New York, to Ron DeRyck and Ushaka Noel, had discussions with the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr, and Minister within the Ministry of Sport, Steven Jacobs.
Noel also met with the President of the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA), Godfrey Munroe and his team. “It went well. We are now on the trajectory to working with me as we move towards the 2028 Olympics in LA.
“I’m hoping for the continued support that they have guaranteed in the meeting; so my job now is to focus on my passion, keep doing what I’m doing and not overthink situations much.” Informed the talented Noel.
“I am enjoying it; it’s very busy, a lot of meetings with both people I knew and new people who are going to be a part of my career in the future, which I’m super grateful for.
“Next for me is to keep doing what I’m doing, to set higher goals and to keep aligned to what I need to do to stay motivated and consistent.
“I want to thank the Guyanese public and media for the support and encouragement this past month. I’m grateful for everything that I’ve got and I want the sport to grow more in Guyana. I feel this is just the beginning of something special we need to build.” posited Noel
Speaking on last Tuesday’s ‘Sean Devers Sports Watch,’ Noel said that to grow the sport and produce international-quality
athletes, people with a passion for sports, are needed.

“I am thankful to the GOA and what they have done for me.
They are doing an amazing job for the sport, but they need to look at the broader perspective: how we are going to make the game grow is to invest, but we have to have the resources from
which these athletes can thrive,” said Noel, who was brought to Guyana when he was three months old.
He said it starts with the facilities …facilities make athletes who they are.
“Getting the Aquatic Centre fixed and not just about getting it fixed, but getting it up to a world-class facility.
“The 50-metre pool is down and has no water in it and creates a disadvantage for swimmers, who have to train in a 25-metre pool and compete internationally in a 50-metre pool.
“When I met with the sports ministers, that [fixing the pool] was the first thing we spoke about,” continued Noel, who attended Green Acres Primary School and then Christ Church Secondary
School for one year, then to St Joseph for two years before moving to New Jersey.
Noel also spoke about the importance of proper coaches in
sports.
“I grew up in North-East La Penitence in a very small apartment with my grandparents, mom and uncle. It wasn’t the most luxurious life, but it always felt that way. I loved how we lived
and never realised how many sacrifices my grandparents made when I was younger to take care of me.
“My mom and dad were there, but financially my grandparents were at the forefront.
“I don’t have any siblings on my mom’s side, but for my dad, I have an older brother and a younger sister.
“I learned to swim at a local pool (Tower Hotel), I just used to splash around, and after a few sessions I knew I wanted to take it seriously.” added Noel, who attends Indiana University,
where he is studying Exercise Science.
“My first competition locally was an independence meet where I loved every moment of it. Swimming wasn’t the greatest and still isn’t in the greatest position in Guyana, so there were a lot of situations where we had to navigate and fight in many different ways.
“There used to be a lot of not-very-clear selection processes without clear rules from [the] GASA. It made swimming very difficult for me, especially as a young kid trying to stay motivated in the
sport, so I left for New Jersey at 15.
“I trained with a local club; the South Jersey Aquatic Club, who still play a major role in my life.
“I am doing well academically. Indiana schooling is really good, and I’m learning a lot, not just from school but [also] from the adults in my life. The thing about me is that I want to do so many
things outside of swimming” explained Noel.
At 18, Noel got a ‘wild card’ to the Olympics.
“It felt great, but I had a bit of impostor syndrome because, for some reason, I felt like I didn’t deserve it, so I struggled with that mentally throughout the entire Olympic year.”
Noel’s memorable moment was winning the five gold medals at the CARIFTA games in 2023.
“In 2018, I went to that meet for the first time, and I never thought I’d even make a final, let alone win, so I think I made my younger self very proud by establishing the feat in the 2023
CARIFTA Games” disclosed Noel.
“I’ve had help from my mom, dad, grandparents’ family, and friends such as Dr Melissa Ifill. Mr Ramdeo Kumar has played a huge part in my career since 2023, while Dorado Speed Swim
Club and the South Jersey Aquatic Club have played key roles; without these people, I would not be where I am right now.
I try to come to Guyana at least once a year because my mom, uncle and grandparents live here,” concluded Noel.