Climber Trevor Johnston visited the VASANOC headquarters ©VASANOC

Climber Trevor Johnston visited the Vanuatu Association of Sports And National Olympic Committee (VASANOC) headquarters to speak about his attempt to ascend Mount Everest.

The South African, who grew up in the apartheid era, tackled the world's highest mountain in 1998 as part of the "Everest North Ridge" expedition. 

He did not make it to the top but took many positives from the experience, which he describes as a "spectacular failure".

It prompted him to face other adventures in his life and he now works for the New Zealand Volunteer Service Abroad programme.

VASANOC used the visit as a team-building exercise for Tokyo 2020 hopefuls ©Getty Images
VASANOC used the visit as a team-building exercise for Tokyo 2020 hopefuls ©Getty Images

Johnston hopes to motivate and inspire people and spoke to athletes and other officials at VASANOC.

It was part of a team-building exercise as the country prepares for the rearranged Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games next year.

Sports represented included rowing, beach volleyball, judo and Para-athletics. 

"They were very happy to receive and interact with Mr. Trevor Johnston," VASANOC said.