Media Release
Vanuatu Aquatics Federation
22 October 2026
The Vanuatu Aquatics Federation (VAF) is proud to announce that swimmers Chloe Ameara (17) and Rémy Idieder (15) have been selected by the Vanuatu Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee (VASANOC) to represent Vanuatu at the 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal. The pair will become the first swimmers ever to represent Vanuatu at a Youth Olympic Games.
The Youth Olympic Games are the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) premier event for young athletes aged 15 to 18, bringing together participants from around the world to compete at the highest level of youth sport. Beyond competition, the Games promote Olympic values, cultural exchange, education and leadership development, inspiring the next generation of athletes and global citizens.
Rémy Idieder’s rise has been nothing short of remarkable. The 15-year-old made his Vanuatu Swimming debut earlier this year at the Oceania Championships in Fiji, where he secured qualification for the Youth Olympic Games. Despite being the youngest member of the team, he delivered an outstanding performance, breaking two senior and four Vanuatu junior records. Rémy will compete in the 50m Backstroke, 100m Backstroke, 100m Freestyle and 200m Individual Medley.
Speaking from Australia, where he is completing a two-week training camp at Brisbane Boys’ College under Vanuatu National Head Coach Lachlan Milner, Rémy said:
“I’m very excited to be heading to Dakar. It was the goal I set myself at the start of the year, so I am proud that the hard work has paid off. It’s surreal to think that this will be only my second swimming competition and it is the Youth Olympic Games. I’ve had a great training block under Coach Lachie (Lachlan Milner) in Australia, and I can’t wait to go and put Vanuatu on the Youth Olympic stage.”
Dakar 2026 will be held from 31 October to 13 November 2026 and will be the first Olympic event hosted on African soil. More than 2,700 athletes aged 15 to 18 from over 200 nations will compete across 25 sports while also taking part in cultural and educational programmes designed to promote the Olympic values of excellence, friendship and respect.
Despite being only 17, Chloe Ameara is already one of the most experienced members of the Vanuatu Swimming team. Since making her international debut at the 2023 Pacific Games as a 14-year-old, she has represented Vanuatu on five occasions and Dakar 2026 will mark her sixth national team selection. Her international résumé includes the 2023 and 2025 Pacific Games, the 2024 and 2026 Oceania Championships, and the 2024 World Short Course Championships. Chloe currently holds three senior and eight junior Vanuatu records across short and long course events. Chloe will compete in the 50m Backstroke, 100m Backstroke, 50m Breaststroke and 50m Freestyle.
Speaking from Port Vila, where she is preparing for Dakar while studying for her final school examinations, Chloe said:
“I feel incredibly honoured and grateful for the opportunity to represent Vanuatu at the Youth Olympic Games in Senegal next month. It has taken a lot of hard work, balancing school studies with daily training, but I am determined to represent Vanuatu to the best of my ability. This has been a goal of mine for a long time, and I feel very fortunate to be able to compete in a sport that I love. I would like to thank everyone who has helped and supported me on the journey to achieving this dream.
Competing at the Youth Olympic Games alongside incredible athletes from around the world is a very humbling experience. I am hoping to learn as much as I can from the people I meet there and use this experience to continue improving as an athlete. I also hope my journey encourages other girls who are passionate about sport to pursue their dreams and never give up.”
The swimming competition at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games will be held from 1 to 6 November 2026 at the Complexe Tour de l’Oeuf (Egg Tower Complex) in Dakar, Senegal. The event will feature the world’s leading young swimmers aged 15 to 18 competing for Youth Olympic medals across a range of freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly and medley events. Swimming will be among the first sports to award medals at the Games, showcasing the next generation of international swimming talent.
Commenting on the team selection, VAF Technical Director Ben Howard said:
“It is a historic moment for VAF to attend our first Youth Olympic Games, just two years after our Olympic debut in Paris and only a few months after making our debut at the Commonwealth Games.
Congratulations to our two athletes, Chloe and Rémy, who have earned and thoroughly deserve their selection. Both have completed training blocks overseas this year and spent time training in Vanuatu at both the VAF Training Centre at the Tennis Club and Paradise Swim and Arts Academy in preparation for the Games. We also thank the many coaches, officials and supporters who have contributed to their development and helped make this achievement possible.”
Team Vanuatu will comprise three athletes at Dakar 2026, with Chloe and Rémy joined by rower Teva Chabod. The delegation will be led by Chef de Mission Lydie Pettersen Visser and supported by VAF officials Ben Howard (Team Leader and Coach) and Kali Ameara (Manager).
Competition Schedule (heats begin 11:00 am local time / 10:00 pm in Vanuatu)
- Monday 2 November — Men’s 100m Freestyle: Rémy Idieder
- Tuesday 3 November — Women’s 100m Backstroke: Chloe Ameara; Men’s 100m Backstroke: Rémy Idieder
- Wednesday 4 November — Women’s 50m Freestyle: Chloe Ameara; Men’s 200m Individual Medley: Rémy Idieder
- Thursday 5 November — Women’s 50m Backstroke: Chloe Ameara; Men’s 50m Backstroke: Rémy Idieder; Women’s 50m Breaststroke: Chloe Ameara
Photo Credit: Chris (VASANOC)