Pacific Nations Prepare for Youth Olympic Games
Six island nations are finalizing athlete rosters for the upcoming competition in Dakar, Senegal.
Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Olympics
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Six Pacific Island nations have confirmed their rosters for the 2026 Summer Youth Olympic Games, which will be held in Dakar, Senegal, from October 31 to November 13, 2026. Participating teams include Fiji, the Cook Islands, Samoa, the Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, and Tonga.
Why it matters
International competition provides a platform for young athletes to gain critical exposure and develop their skills on a global stage. The games serve as a significant milestone for these athletes and their respective national sports programs.
Fiji is sending 29 athletes, the Cook Islands 13, and both Papua New Guinea and Tonga are sending 4-member teams. Solomon Islands is currently narrowing a 14-player training group down to a final 10-person futsal roster.
The players
Grace Khelan
She is a swimmer who recently secured a gold medal in the 100-metre freestyle at the New Zealand Short Course Age Championships.
The details
Fiji's Under-19 girls basketball team and the Cook Islands beach handball squad are set to compete in the games for the first time. Preparations are well underway, with the Fiji basketball squad training five times per week to ensure competitive readiness.
Timeline
October 31, 2026: The Summer Youth Olympic Games begin in Dakar.
November 13, 2026: The event concludes after nearly two weeks of competition.
Season Trajectory
The participation of Pacific Island nations in the Summer Youth Olympic Games follows a long-standing trend of smaller developing countries seeking greater representation in international multisport events. This involvement marks a significant expansion of regional representation within the Olympic movement.
For the first time, Fiji's Under-19 girls' basketball team and the Cook Islands' beach handball team will be competing at the youth games. These squad inclusions represent a major shift in the competitive landscape for these specific national federations.
The takeaway
Participation in these games provides young athletes with essential high-level competition experience that is difficult to replicate at home. Teams are intensifying training schedules now to ensure peak performance levels ahead of the October 31 start date.
Further reading
For more on the latest international competition updates, visit Olympics.
Source note: This article includes information reported by RNZ.
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