Strong finish for Vanuatu swimmers as inaugural Youth Olympic Games campaign concludes

Media Release

Vanuatu Aquatics Federation

5 November 2026

The Vanuatu Aquatics Federation (VAF) has wrapped up its first-ever Youth Olympic Games campaign on Day 5 of competition at the Complexe Tour de l’Oeuf (Egg Tower Complex) in Dakar, Senegal. Chloe Ameara finished the meet with four personal best performances from four swims, lowering her own Vanuatu National Junior Records in both the Women’s 50m Backstroke and Women’s 50m Breaststroke.

In a remarkable 48-hour period, Chloe recorded four personal best times in the pool during the mornings while also sitting her final two school examinations in the evenings. Swimming first in the Women’s 50m Backstroke, Chloe clocked 40.52 to take almost one second off her own National Junior Record. Swimming in Heat 1, Lane 1, she finished sixth in her heat and 44th overall.

Just 25 minutes later, Chloe returned to the pool for the Women’s 50m Breaststroke, swimming 45.82 from Heat 1, Lane 3, to win her heat and finish 32nd overall. The performance lowered her National Junior Record by more than 2.5 seconds.

Commenting from the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Chloe said:

“The final day of competition was a great way to end my week of racing. I finished with some well-executed races, personal best times and junior national records. It’s been a long journey to get to this point, especially juggling school, final exams and training, but I am very grateful for the opportunity to complete my exams while competing against the best junior athletes in the world.“

Rémy Idieder also finished his Youth Olympic Games campaign on a high, claiming a heat win in the Men’s 50m Backstroke. Swimming in Heat 1, Lane 4, Rémy recorded a time of 33.45, just outside his own National Record, to finish 31st overall.

Speaking from the Complexe Tour de l’Oeuf, Rémy said:

“Today was a good way to finish the meet. Although I didn’t break my national record, I was happy with the way I executed my race. This competition was a lot of fun and I’ve learnt so much from the athletes around me. I am looking forward to my next competition and continuing to improve as an athlete.“

Chloe and Rémy have now concluded their competition and will return home to Port Vila, Vanuatu, over the weekend. Both athletes are now focused on qualification for the 2027 Junior World Championships, Commonwealth Youth Games and Pacific Games.

Commenting on Vanuatu’s final performances in Senegal, VAF Technical Director and Coach in Dakar, Ben Howard, said:

“I’m really proud of the way Chloe balanced preparing for both her swimming competition and her examinations. At VAF, we promote the whole athlete and education is a key part of that philosophy, so we’re pleased we were able to support her in pursuing both. She had a fantastic competition, finishing with four personal best performances. It doesn’t get much better than that.“

“It’s remarkable to think that this was not only Rémy’s second international competition, but just his second swimming competition full stop. We’re accelerating his development as an athlete and he has learnt an enormous amount throughout the week. We’ve seen significant growth in Rémy over the course of the competition and we’re excited to see how he continues to develop in the future.“

The next competition for the Vanuatu Aquatics Federation will be the World Short Course Championships in Beijing, China, in December.

Full results from Day 5

NR = National Record
NJR = National Junior Record
PB = Personal Best

Women’s 50m Backstroke