Media Release
Vanuatu Aquatics Federation
4 November 2026
Day 4 of competition at the Complexe Tour de l’Oeuf (Egg Tower Complex) in Dakar, Senegal, saw both Vanuatu swimmers record personal best performances at the Youth Olympic Games.
Chloe Ameara made it two personal best performances from two swims, recording 34.51 in the Women’s 50m Freestyle to lower her previous personal best of 35.67, set at the Oceania Championships in Fiji in May. Swimming in Heat 2, Lane 8, she finished eighth in her heat and 64th overall.
Speaking from the Complexe Tour de l’Oeuf, Chloe said:
“I was really happy with my race today and very excited with the time that I swam. I had a good start, my technique felt good in the water and I was able to keep up with a very fast heat for the most part, and I just need to improve my finish to go a little faster.“
Rémy Idieder also recorded a personal best, swimming 31.82 for the butterfly leg of his Men’s 200m Individual Medley, improving on his previous best time of 32.37. The split was just outside Léo Lebot’s Vanuatu National Junior Record of 31.47, a mark Rémy will remain eligible to challenge for the next three years.
Competing in the Men’s 200m Individual Medley, Rémy recorded a time of 2:49.16, just outside his own Vanuatu National Junior Record of 2:46.67, set at the Oceania Championships in Fiji in May. Swimming in Heat 2, Lane 8, he finished seventh in his heat and 13th overall.
Commenting from the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Rémy said:
“That race hurt a lot, but I gave it everything I had. I was really happy with the front end, especially my butterfly and swimming a personal best was a nice surprise, but I missed my backstroke-to-breaststroke turn and the second 100 metres was a real struggle. I was hoping for a better outcome time-wise but I am looking forward to getting back to the Olympic Games Village, recovering and preparing for my last race tomorrow.“
Chloe and Rémy will return to the pool on Day 5 of competition, Thursday 5 November, for Vanuatu’s final day of swimming at the Youth Olympic Games. Chloe will contest both the
Women’s 50m Backstroke and Women’s 50m Breaststroke, while Rémy will compete in the Men’s 50m Backstroke.
Commenting on Chloe and Rémy’s Day 4 performances, VAF Technical Director and Coach in Dakar, Ben Howard, said:
“Two really strong performances again today. Chloe had a school exam late into last night but still got up today and performed incredibly well, with a massive personal best. It really highlights her maturity as an athlete and I’m very happy for her that she is having the competition she is, even with all the other pressures.“
“Rémy swam to the race plan again today, which is always pleasing to see. He ran out of a little energy over the second half of the race, but I thought it was a brave swim. I was shocked to see such a fast-opening 50m butterfly split, which was a personal best in its own right. It would be very interesting to see what he could achieve in an individual 50m Butterfly event.“
The swimming heats continue at 10.00 am local time (9.00 pm in Vanuatu) on Thursday 5 November at the Complexe Tour de l’Oeuf (Egg Tower Complex) in Dakar, Senegal.
Full results from Day 4
NR = National Record
NJR = National Junior Record
PB = Personal Best
Women’s 50m Freestyle
- Chloe Ameara: 64th (34.51) – PB
Men’s 200m Individual Medley
- Rémy Idieder: 13th (2:49.16)
Men’s 50m Butterfly (Split from the Men’s 200m Individual Medley)
- Rémy Idieder: 31.82 – PB
Remaining Competition Schedule
Thursday 5 November
- Women’s 50m Backstroke: Chloe Ameara
- Men’s 50m Backstroke: Rémy Idieder
- Women’s 50m Breaststroke: Chloe Ameara
