Rest in peace
A Tunisian sailor who competed in the Tokyo Olympics for her country has died at the age of 17 while training with her twin sister.
The sisters were born in March 2005 and had just celebrated their 17th birthday last month.
Guezguez was the youngest athlete to compete for her country
Eya Guezguez, who competed at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics at the age of just 16, tragically passed away after an accident in which the wind caused her vessel to capsize.
Guezguez’s sister, who also competed, was with her at the time, however she survived the accident.
The two sisters finished 21st in the 49er FX event and had big plans to compete at future Olympic Games and build upon their first appearance last year – when they were Tunisia’s youngest athletes.
Tunisian journalist Souhail Khmira first broke the news on Twitter, writing: “Eya Guezguez, Tunisian Olympic Windsurfer, has passed away today after an accident at practice. May she Rest In Peace. ”
Eya Guezguez, 16, Tunisian Olympic Windsurfer, has passed away today after an accident at practice.
Eya, along with her twin, Sarra, were the Youngest female athletes at the #Tokyo2020 Olympics…
May she Rest In Peace 😔 pic.twitter.com/Pvt6lGEscq— Souhail Khmira (@SKhmira) April 10, 2022
The official Twitter page of Tunisian sports outlet ETTACHKILA also posted an emotional tribute in memory of Guezguez.
They posted: “Our sailing champion, Eya Guezguez died today following an accident during training for the national team.
“We extend our condolences to her family and love ones.”
⚫️
Âgée à peine de 16 ans, notre championne de voile Eya Guezguez est décédée aujourd’hui suite à un accident lors l'entraînement de l'équipe nationale.
Nous présentons toutes nos condoléances pour sa famille et ses proches.
Paix à son âme. Allah Yarhamha pic.twitter.com/OdOYBwUI6Z— ETTACHKILA (@EttachkilaTN) April 10, 2022
Social media also paid tribute to the 17-year-old
Social media has also been flooded with tributes to the 17-year-old. One of Eya’s closest friends tweeted: “What terrible news… Eya, your death was a dagger that pierced our hearts. Rest in peace dear friend. You will remain among us forever!”
Another user said: “Since we study in the same high-school it was really hard for me to take the news, can’t believe before the winter holidays, we gave her and her twin an award during an event I participated in, I may not know her that well, but the idea of being her friend really crossed my mind.”
Since we study in the same high-school it was really hard for me to take the news, can't believe before the winter holidays, we gave her and her twin an award during an event I participated in, I may not know her that well, but the idea of being her friend really crossed my mind https://t.co/FiZIoWaMIL
— Yoonpiter✘ ✿ (@Yoonpiter_) April 10, 2022
A third user tweeted: “Death this afternoon of our champion Eya Guezguez following an accident during training for the national sailing team. With her twin sister Sarra, they were the youngest competitors to participate in the last Tokyo Olympics. Rest in peace.”
#Tunisie Décès cet après-midi à 16 ans de notre championne Eya Guezguez suite à un accident lors l'entraînement de l'équipe nationale de voile.
Avec sa sœur jumelle Sarra, elles étaient les plus jeunes compétitrices à participer aux dernières JO de Tokyo.
Paix à son âme. pic.twitter.com/Qt1xIuTslK— Riadh Ammari (@capafrican) April 10, 2022
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