Sereana Salalo/PACNEWS

Seventeen-year-old Jion and his 19-year-old sister Yuri competed in the 50m Men’s Freestyle and Women’s 50m Freestyle, respectively, at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Adding to their historic achievement, both clocked personal best times in their events.

Jion recorded a time of 25.67 seconds, while Yuri swam a time of 30.52 seconds at the Paris La Defense Arena.

“It was a goal coming here to achieve personal best,” Jion said.

“I sacrificed most of my free time for practice, especially before and after school.

It means a lot to be here with my sister; it's the first in the country, and we’re proud.”

Despite coming from a family with no swimming background, the siblings have been passionate and committed to the sport since they began competing.

Yuri shared, “It feels really good; it makes it more special, and we PB’d together. I think that's something to be proud of, especially on such a big stage.”

She advised aspiring swimmers back home that dedication and commitment are essential to representing their national flag at the pinnacle of the sport.

“Swimming has taught me that everything involves mental strength,” she said.

“Our mum was always pushing us; her push has made us come this far.”

Yuri swam alongside eight other young women from the Pacific in the same event, but in different heats.

“The atmosphere here at the Olympics is so different.

The fact we, Oceania, are here in the building is so special; we are really like family.”

Yuri is a first-year undergraduate student majoring in education in Japan, while Jion is still in high school in Palau.