Tunisian Olympic sailor Eya Guezguez has died aged 17 after a training accident in waters off the capital Tunis on Sunday.
Guezguez was the youngest Tunisian ultimately 12 months’s Tokyo Olympics and competed within the ladies’s 49er FX class along with her twin sister Sarra, who is 2 minutes older.
The Tunisian Olympic Committee (CNOT) has described her demise as “a tragedy within the sports activities scene” whereas the Tunisian Minister of Sports and Youth paid tribute to Guezguez and despatched his condolences to her household.
Debutants Eya and Sarra, each then aged 16, completed backside of their occasion in 21st position in Tokyo.
“I’m shocked by the information of sailor Eya Guezguez’s demise,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said.
“She was an inspiring expertise and function mannequin for her athletes’ era.
“Eya Guezguez’s participation at Tokyo 2020 alongside her twin sister Sarra will proceed to inspire ladies all over the place. Our ideas are along with her household, buddies and the Olympic group in Tunisia.”
CNOT’s Facebook web page mentioned that rising star Guezguez died whereas training for upcoming regional and worldwide competitors.
A dinghy being sailed by Eya and Sarra capsized in windy climate, with CNOT president Mehrez Boussayan telling native radio the sisters’ coach was alongside them in a speedboat on the time.
The coach reportedly managed to assist Sarra flee the tangled rigging earlier than then finding Eya, on whom he tried CPR however in useless.
The younger Olympian was taken to hospital the place she was pronounced lifeless after drowning.
The particulars surrounding the tragedy stay unclear, however some experiences point out the accident was a results of dangerous climate and robust winds.
The incident has shocked Tunisia’s sporting group and sparked anger and frustration amongst Tunisians, with many questioning administration and the character of security gear.
An investigation has been launched into the incident, which occurred a number of hours earlier than Muslims had been as a result of break their quick on the ninth day of Ramadan.
“May God have mercy on the deceased, grant her everlasting relaxation in paradise, and grant her household and family and the whole sports activities household a phenomenal endurance and solace,” an announcement from CNOT mentioned.
