Noah Jaffe

Started: He began swimming competitively in 2012. (encinitasadvocate.com, 06 Jun 2019) Reason: He initially began swimming as a recreational activity before deciding to compete in the sport. "I wanted to do it for fun and it's turned into a big passion of mine. Swimming is a big part of my life and I like both the individual and team aspect it provides. I'm not sure what I would do if I stopped. It motivates me to do well, not only in the sport but other things." (encinitasadvocate.com, 06 Jun 2019) Ambition: To compete at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. (encinitasadvocate.com, 06 Jun 2019) Additional Info: STUDY BREAK His success at the 2023 World Championships in Manchester, England, where he won four medals, prompted him to take a year off from his biochemistry studies at the University of California, Berkeley. He opted to spend the year training at the US Olympic and Paralympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, CO, United States of America, ahead of the 2024 Paralympic Games. "It's a big decision, delaying school to focus on swimming, but after worlds I saw that I have the potential to really do something in Paris [at the Paralympic Games]. I saw I could really make my dream become a reality, but I had to make this choice to make sure I could achieve it." (usparaswimming.org, 21 Feb 2024, 29 Sep 2023; woodtv.com, 05 Feb 2024) CHARITY WORK He has worked with the Challenged Athletes Foundation [CAF], an organisation that provides support and sporting opportunities for people with an impairment. "Hopefully, I'll meet and interact with some kids who will be interested in learning about my experiences. I have learned to overcome [the challenges associated with his impairment] and hope to inspire other people to do so as well, whether through swimming or another sport." (encinitasadvocate.com, 06 Jun 2019)