Blackwood, NJ Native Makes Swimming Debut at 2024 Summer Olympics

An 18-year-old from Blackwood, New Jersey is making a big splash at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. Remember this name: Raekwon Noel.

Blackwood, NJ Native Raekwon Noel Makes Olympics Debut in Paris

It's pretty safe to say Noel is having the most adventurous summer of anyone from his 2024 class at Highland Regional High School, where he graduated just over a month ago.

Raekwon reportedly trains at South Jersey Aquatic Club in Voorhees as well as the Dorado Speed Swim Club in the country of Guyana.

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Raekwon reportedly trains at South Jersey Aquatic Club in Voorhees as well as the Dorado Speed Swim Club in the country of Guyana.

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Raekwon Noel of Blackwood, NJ Swims for Team Guyana in Olympics Debut

Noel is currently in Paris, France competing in swimming at the Summer Olympic Games, but not for Team USA. Instead, he's on the team representing his native country of Guyana, Courier Post reports.

It's Raekwon's Olympics debut, and he should be proud of his achievement. Although Noel did not advance past the qualifying round after swimming one heat in the men's 400-meter freestyle, he came within 30 seconds of the race's winner. And while the Blackwood, NJ resident won't be on the podium at this Summer Olympics, he did perform his personal best, breaking one of his own records in the pool and another set by any Guyanese swimmer, according to Courier Post.

Noel took to Facebook to splash himself on the back, writing, "I'm so proud of what I've achieved." He went on to say, "My mission is to make Guyana even more proud" and set his plans for the future, writing, "See you again in four years."

Up next for this South Jersey sports hero? He'll be attending Indiana University in the fall where he'll join the college's swim team. No doubt Raekwon Noel will be one to watch at the next Summer Olympics in 2028.

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