Eya Guezguez, a Tunisian Olympic sailor, has died in a training accident at the age of 17 years old, according to the International Olympic Committee.
Guezguez, who was sailing with her twin sister, Sarra, when their boat capsized in heavy gusts, was represented Tunisia at the postponed 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Eya died in the collision, but Sarra, who was competing in the 49er FX division with her in Tokyo, survived.
“I am shocked by the news of sailor Eya Guezguez’s death,”
.“She was an inspiring talent and role model for her athletes’ generation.
“Eya Guezguez’s participation at Tokyo 2020 alongside her twin sister Sarra will continue to motivate girls everywhere. Our thoughts are with her family, friends and the Olympic community in Tunisia,” the IOC president, Thomas Bach, said
The incident occurred off the coast of Tunis, according to the Tunisian Olympic Committee’s Facebook page, with the committee’s president, Mehrez Boussayan, informing local radio that the catastrophe occurred off the shore of Tunis.
“May Allah have mercy on the deceased, grant her eternal rest in paradise, and grant her family and relatives and the entire sports family patience and solace,” the committee statement concluded.
Eya Guezguez was a Tunisian sailor. She competed in the 49er FX event at the 2020 Summer Olympics. Eya was the youngest Tunisian at the Games, as Sarra was two minutes older than Eya.
The deceased was the team’s skipper with the duo finishing 21st and last in the event.
Meanwhile, it is pertinent to mention that 13 African migrants died on Saturday when their boat sank off the coast of Tunisia.Another 10 migrants were missing off the coast of Sfax and 19 were rescued. Among the bodies recovered were four women and four children