Tragedy as 17-year-old Tunisian Olympic star dies after boat sinks

Eya Guezguez was training with the national team when her boat capsized on Monday afternoon.

1 min read

11 April, 2022

Eya Guezguez and her twin Sarra were the youngest female competitors in the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. [OLIVIER MORIN/AFP via Getty]

Tunisian Olympic sailor Eya Guezguez died on Monday aged 17 while training with Tunisia's national team. Her twin sister Sarra Guezguez, who was with her at sea, survived the sailing accident.

Guezguez' boat allegedly capsized due to strong winds.

The two sisters were the youngest female competitors in the last summer Olympic Games, held in Tokyo in 2021. The Tokyo Olympics were originally due to take place in 2020 but were rescheduled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Many Tunisians reacted to the tragedy on social media, sharing photos of Guezguez and expressing condolences.

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 Guezguez sisters had come in 21st in their category at the Tokyo Olympics, but their young age raised hopes among Tunisians about their performance in future athletic events.

Tunisian sports news outlet ETTACHKILA confirmed the death and paid tribute to the young sailor in a Twitter post.

"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."