Govt. backs Raekwon Noel’s push for LA 2028 Olympics

Aug 10, 2026 Sports

The funding was formally presented by Minister Ramson Jr. alongside Minister Jacobs and Director of Sport Steve Ninvalle, with Noel joined at the handover by his mother, Ushaka Noel.

(Kaieteur Sport) Following a historic performance at the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games, the Government of Guyana, through the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, has stepped up its support for swimmer Raekwon Noel as he officially begins his campaign to qualify for and compete at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

An undisclosed sum was recently presented to the 20-year-old swimmer following a meeting with Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Charles Ramson Jr. and Minister within the Ministry Steven Jacobs.

Raekwon Noel and Minister Charles Ramson Jr.

The financial assistance comes after Noel, who also competed at the Paris 2024 Games, produced the most successful swimming performance by a Guyanese athlete in CAC Games history, returning from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, with three gold medals and three Games records.

His landmark campaign began in the men’s 200-metre individual medley, where he shattered both the national and Games records to win gold in 1:59.35.
In the process, Noel became the first swimmer in CAC Games history to break the two-minute barrier in the event.

He followed that performance with another record-breaking display in the 200m butterfly, touching the wall in 1:56.82 to lower the previous Games record of 1:57.03. His time was also just outside his own Guyanese national record of 1:56.62, set earlier this year.

Noel later placed fifth in the 100m butterfly final in 53.58 seconds after winning his heat in 53.28.
He subsequently made the tactical decision to withdraw from the 100m backstroke, conserving energy after enduring consecutive late nights for anti-doping testing.
The decision paid dividends in the 200m freestyle, where Noel stormed to his third gold medal in another record-breaking performance.

He clocked 1:47.08 to establish a new national and Games record, eclipsing the previous mark of 1:47.19 set by Mexico’s Jorge Iga in 2018.
With the LA 2028 Olympic Games now firmly in his sights, the Ministry has committed to supporting Noel’s development through immediate financial assistance and a long-term high-performance roadmap.

The initiative is expected to fund elite training camps, targeted development programmes, participation in major international competitions and comprehensive nutritional support as Noel seeks to take his swimming to the highest level.

The presentation was formally made by Ramson Jr., alongside Jacobs and Director of Sport Steve Ninvalle. Noel was accompanied at the handover by his mother, Ushaka Noel.
The Government’s investment marks a significant step in supporting one of Guyana’s brightest young sporting talents as he begins the demanding journey towards Olympic qualification.

For Noel, whose breakthrough at the CAC Games has already elevated his status on the regional swimming stage, the focus now shifts to sustained development, international exposure and achieving the standards required to earn a place at LA 2028.

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govt, LA 2028 Olympics, Minister Charles Ramson Jr., Raekwon Noel., swimmer

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