7 November 2026 | Dakar, Senegal | International Olympic Committee (IOC) Member, Oceania National Olympic Committees (ONOC) President and Palau National Olympic Committee (PNOC) Secretary General Baklai Temengil-Chilton has celebrated the resilience, unity and sporting aspirations of Oceania’s young athletes at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, highlighting the historic occasion as an important milestone for the region’s emerging Olympic talent.

Attending the Games in Senegal, President Temengil-Chilton has been engaging with athletes, National Olympic Committee (NOC) delegations, Chefs de Mission and Olympic Movement leaders, reinforcing her commitment to athlete development and Olympic values at the national, continental and international levels.

Dakar 2026 marks a historic occasion as the first Olympic sporting event to be held on the African continent, providing a platform for young athletes to experience international competition, cultural exchange and the values of the Olympic Movement.

Reflecting on her visit to the Olympic Village, President Temengil-Chilton highlighted the energy, solidarity and strong sense of regional identity among Oceania’s delegations.

“My first visit was to the Olympic Village, and the spirit was wonderful, with the athletes’ smiles and team colours. Our Oceania teams and athletes have arrived in Dakar with strong Oceania Mana,” President Temengil-Chilton said.

“Even far away from home, our Oceania athletes and teams are supporting each other. Being here and making history through our Oceania athletes at these first Games in Dakar is already a success and a win for our region.”

Strong Oceania representation in Dakar

Oceania’s presence at Dakar 2026 reflects the collective strength and diversity of its 17 member NOCs, encompassing the 15 Pacific NOCs alongside Australia and New Zealand.

The 15 Pacific NOCs are represented by 85 athletes competing across 10 sports, comprising 36 female athletes (42%) and 49 male athletes (58%).

Among the Pacific NOCs, Fiji has the largest delegation with 20 athletes, followed by Solomon Islands with 17 and Cook Islands with 13.

The Pacific athletes are competing across athletics, swimming, boxing, basketball, futsal, beach handball, coastal rowing, triathlon, beach volleyball and beach wrestling.

Together with athletes from Australia and New Zealand, Oceania’s delegations are showcasing the region’s sporting talent, determination and shared Olympic aspirations.

President Temengil-Chilton acknowledged the achievements of Oceania’s athletes, including podium performances by Australia and New Zealand, while recognising the commitment and resilience demonstrated by athletes from across the Pacific.

“Many of our Oceania athletes have exceeded their performances, with New Zealand and Australia achieving podium finishes. Our Oceania athletes are strong, young and very resilient, and that is what I am most proud of, because that is who we are,” she said.

“Congratulations to all our Oceania athletes, and my best wishes to those competing this week.”

Building the pathway from Dakar to Tahiti 2027, LA28 and Brisbane 2032

Beyond the immediate competition, President Temengil-Chilton emphasised the significance of the Youth Olympic Games in developing Oceania’s next generation of elite athletes.

For many young competitors, Dakar 2026 represents an important early milestone in their sporting journeys, providing valuable exposure to international competition and opportunities for personal and athletic development.

President Temengil-Chilton believes the experience gained in Dakar will contribute to Oceania’s longer-term sporting ambitions, particularly as the region looks towards the Pacific Games in Tahiti in 2027, the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games and the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“For many of these young athletes, this is the beginning of their sporting careers and a step towards even higher and more exciting opportunities,” she said.

“Looking ahead to LA 2028 and Brisbane 2032, these are the athletes and teams to follow today for future podiums. Even before then, we will see many of them in Tahiti for our next Pacific Games in 2027.”

ONOC recognises the importance of connecting these major sporting events through stronger athlete development pathways, increased opportunities for international competition and sustained support for its member NOCs.

With Brisbane 2032 bringing the Olympic Games back to Oceania, the development of young athletes competing today represents an important investment in the region’s sporting future.

Championing athletes and Olympic values

During her visit, President Temengil-Chilton has also engaged with initiatives at the Athlete365 space, where young athletes are being introduced to programmes that support their development, wellbeing and responsibilities within sport.

Among these is the IOC’s Believe in Sport campaign, which raises awareness about competition manipulation and empowers athletes to protect the integrity of sport.

Oceania is represented in this initiative through Fiji Olympian Matelita Buadromo OLY, an ONOC staff member and Chair of the FASANOC Athletes Commission, who is serving as one of six IOC Believe in Sport Ambassadors at Dakar 2026 and the only ambassador from Oceania.

Her involvement reflects the region’s contribution to athlete leadership, education and the promotion of fair and clean sport.

For ONOC, the Youth Olympic Games represent more than competition. They provide an opportunity to strengthen relationships among NOCs, champion young athletes and reinforce the shared identity, solidarity and values that unite Oceania’s Olympic family.

As competition continues in Dakar, President Temengil-Chilton’s message to Oceania’s athletes remains one of encouragement, pride and confidence in their future.

The next generation of Oceania’s Olympic talent is emerging in Dakar, carrying the region’s Mana, resilience and aspirations onto the world stage.