Team Tonga Olympic swimmer, Noelani Day, finished third in her heat, in the 50m Women's Freestyle at the Paris Aquatics Centre, on 3 August 2024, with a time of 28.60 seconds.

The 21-year-old was 0.92 seconds behind Gabon's Noelie Lacour who finished the Heat 4 in 27.68 seconds, and did not progress to the next round.

The Olympic time was not a personal best for Noelani who holds the Tonga National Record for 50m freestyle at 28.02 seconds, set in Thanyapura Thailand in 2021.

Noelani's coach, Vila Day said that “Noelani's Paris Olympics 28.60 is the fastest any Tongan female swimmer has performed at any Olympics, to date.” Tongan swimmer Irene Prescott swam at 28.68 at the Rio Olympic.

Meanwhile, Sweden's S. Sjöström who set a new Olympic Record 23.66 in the semi-finals, was the favourite for the final to be held at the Paris Aquatics Centre on 4 August.

Athletics

Tongan athlete Maleselo Fukofuka (19) recorded a personal best time of 12.11 seconds in the Men's 100m sprint, preliminary round - Heat 5 at the Stade de France on Saturday. 

The winner of the Heat 5 was Naquille Harris of Saint Kitts and Nevis at 10.33 seconds.

In the final of the Men's 100m sprint, Britain's L. Hinchiffe took the Gold at 9.98 seconds, with USA’s N. Lyles, Silver 10.04 seconds and South Africa's S. Masawanganyi, Bronze 10.16 seconds.

--

Editor's Note: this report has been updated to include Noelani's National Record for 50m freestyle is 28.02 set in Thanyapura Thailand in 2021, using information received from her coach.