Tunisian Olympic sailor Eya Guezguez, 17, has died in an accident whilst training in the 49er FX skiff Tunisian Olympic sailors, twins sisters Sarra and Eya Guezguez competing at Enoshima in July 2021.
\nPhoto: Sailing Energy \/ World SailingTunisian Olympic 49er FX sailor Eya Guezguez has died in an accident whilst training, sailing in the waters off the Tunisian capital Tunis in strong winds.
\nEya Guezguez, who was 17, was sailing with her twin sister and Olympic partner Sarra, when their 49er FX\u00a0capsized.
\nIt\u2019s understood that their coach, who was alongside in a RIB, was able to free Sarra from the rigging before locating Eya. He performed CPR on Eya before she was taken to hospital, but she was pronounced dead after drowning.
\nEya Guezguez, Tunisian Olympic sailor, who drowned aged 17 during a training accident in April 2022
\nEya and Sarra represented Tunisia at the Tokyo 2020 Games last year aged just 16, the youngest athletes in their national team and the youngest female sailors at the Games. They finished 21st in the 49er FX fleet, which is the women\u2019s double-handed twin-trapeze skiff class, and were aiming to compete at Paris 2024.
\nInternational Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach paid tribute to the athlete, saying:
\n\u201cI am shocked by the news of sailor Eya Guezguez\u2019s death. She was an inspiring talent and role model for her athletes\u2019 generation.
\n\u201cEya Guezguez\u2019s 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
Quanhai Li, President of World Sailing said: \u201cOn behalf of my Board of Directors, and the wider sailing community, I\u2019d like to express my heartfelt sadness at this news, and offer my condolences to Sarra, Eya\u2019s family and the wider Tunisian sailing community at this incredibly difficult time.
\n\u201cEya was a very talented sailor with a promising pathway ahead of her to continue competing at the very top levels of the sport. She was an inspiration to young athletes around the world and will be greatly missed by many.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Tunisian Olympic Committee (CNOT) described her death as \u201ca tragedy in the sports scene\u201d.
\nAn investigation has been launched into the incident.\u00a0
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Tunisian Olympic sailor Eya Guezguez, 17, has died in an accident whilst training in the 49er FX skiff Tunisian Olympic sailors, twins sisters Sarra and Eya Guezguez competing at Enoshima in July 2021. Photo: Sailing Energy \/ World SailingTunisian Olympic … <\/p>\n