American Samoa Leads Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Parade
Ethan Galuvaea Lake Jr. and Tupulua Vaouli carried the flag for American Samoa at the Youth Olympic Games Opening Ceremony in Senegal.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Olympics
American Samoa's delegation was led by flag bearers Ethan Galuvaea Lake Jr. and Tupulua Vaouli at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games Opening Ceremony on October 31, 2026, held at Abdoulaye Wade Stadium in Diamniadio, Senegal. Vaouli later advanced to the second day of Women's Coastal Rowing Beach Sprints competition.
Why it matters
The appearance marks American Samoa's presence at the Youth Olympic Games, with Vaouli's advancement giving the territory a competitor still in play. The Games run through November 13, 2026.
Vaouli advanced to the second day of Women's Coastal Rowing Beach Sprints and moved into second position during her race, but did not hold that position to the finish. Her final placing and Lake Jr.'s Beach Wrestling results remain unreported.
The players
Ethan Galuvaea Lake Jr.
Lake Jr. is an American Samoan athlete who served as a flag bearer and competes in Beach Wrestling at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games.
Tupulua Vaouli
Vaouli is an American Samoan rower who served as a flag bearer and competes in Women's Coastal Rowing Beach Sprints at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games.
The details
Coastal Rowing Beach Sprints combine beach running, ocean rowing and a final sprint to the finish. Lake Jr. competes in Beach Wrestling, while Vaouli's race on November 1 saw her briefly move into second before falling back.
Timeline
October 31, 2026: Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games Opening Ceremony and Vaouli's first race.
November 1, 2026: Vaouli advances to the second day of competition.
November 13, 2026: Scheduled close of the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games.
2028: Coastal rowing makes its Olympic debut at Los Angeles 2028.
Season Trajectory
Coastal rowing is set to make its Olympic debut at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, giving the Youth Games event an early look at a discipline entering the full Olympic program. Vaouli's race places American Samoa among the nations competing in that developing event.
Readers following American Samoa can track the Games schedule through November 13, 2026 to see when Vaouli and Lake Jr. compete next. Checking official competition schedules before the events begins is the most practical way to catch their races.
The takeaway
Youth Olympic appearances like Vaouli's show how athletes from small territories reach international competition early in their careers. Following a single competitor across multiple days gives a clearer picture of how these events unfold.
What happens next
Vaouli's further Coastal Rowing Beach Sprints results and Lake Jr.'s Beach Wrestling competition are scheduled within the Games running through November 13, 2026.
Further reading
For more on the Games' competition schedule and events, explore Olympics coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Samoa News.
