Noor Ahmed Elakhdar is determined to make a mark in sports

While Down Syndrome, autism, a congenital heart condition and low muscle tone may be perceived as hindrances to physical prowess and mental focus, Noor Noor Ahmed Elakhdar, a young Egyptian expat in Abu Dhabi has proven that determination lies within the human spirit.

Ever since she started to sit properly, Noor loved to get into the pool. At the age of three she began taking swimming lessons to improve her lung and heart condition as she was born with complete AV Canal Defect. (It was corrected at 4 months of age.)

In October 2020 her mother Amani came to know about the unified sport program Learn to Cycle of the Special Olympics UAE (SOUAE) and decided to teach Noor how to ride a bike. ‘From day one, I realised that she is a promising athlete. Her happiness, determination, passion and quick learning encouraged us to get her a road bike as a new year gift in 2023,’ says Amani.

Noor participated in the Falcon Daman Race Series 2022 and took third place in the overall series in the U12 category. A few months later, she was chosen to represent SOUAE in SOWG BERLIN 2023 as a member of the cycling team.

Since she enjoyed swimming and cycling, Noor decided to participate in the triathlon 22-23 Season. She was invited by the Al Raha Raptors (Sports team of Al Raha school, Abu Dhabi) where she could prepare for the triathlon events. To date, Noor has competed in 6 triathlons and one duathlon including TriYas and World Triathlon Championship Series 2022 (where she was the only female Person of Determination). She has also participated in finswimming and open water events.

‘Apart from Down Syndrome, weak muscles, lax joints and deficiency in heart and lung functions, her autistic features, lack of eye contact and poor communication skills are major challenges for Noor in her life overall and especially in sports,’ says her mother.

There are also specific obstacles Noor encounters in various sports. In cycling and paddling, she grapples with the fear of falling, especially while on hilly terrains. That said, despite her fear of heights, Noor excels as a climber. In finswimming, she must learn to regulate her breathing underwater.

Noor also displays extreme perseverance in continuing with her sport. For instance, at SOWG Berlin 2023 at the start of the cycle race, she was told to maintain a steady pace and keep peddling all the way. However, she started off by peddling very fast and was about to lose her bike’s control. Luckily for her, she managed to regain control and quite like a professional cyclist, complete the race.

Never one to give up, during her first climbing session in Ras Al Khaimah, she was in pain and tired quickly. However, even though her mentors suggested that she could quit, Noor refused and persevered, reaching the summit victoriously.

Currently, the young woman is training for the upcoming Oceanman Dubai event for Open Water swimming. She will be the first Arab with Down Syndrome and autism to participate in such an event

‘Thanks to her interest in sport, Noor has learnt commitment, responsibility, independence, teamwork, social interactions, respecting opponents and most importantly graciousness in winning or losing,’ says Amani, he staunch supporter. ‘She dreams of being a great sports woman just to inspire others that there are no limits when you believe in your abilities.’