Tunisian Olympic sailor Eya Guezguez dies aged 17

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. " https://twitter.com/SKhmira/status/1513262295840866308?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1513262295840866308%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dailymail.co.uk%2Fsport%2Fsportsnews%2Farticle-10707229%2FYoungest-female-athlete-Tokyo-Olympics-Eya-Guezguez-dies-aged-17-sailboat-sank.html 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."

https://twitter.com/EttachkilaTN/status/1513261821913927682?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1513261821913927682%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dailymail.co.uk%2Fsport%2Fsportsnews%2Farticle-10707229%2FYoungest-female-athlete-Tokyo-Olympics-Eya-Guezguez-dies-aged-17-sailboat-sank.html

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." https://twitter.com/Yoonpiter___/status/1513279487282233350 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." https://twitter.com/capafrican/status/1513248900894838788 Related links:

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