Current:Home > MarketsU.S.-born kitefoiler J.J. Rice dies at age 18 in diving accident weeks before his Olympics debut-LoTradeCoin
U.S.-born kitefoiler J.J. Rice dies at age 18 in diving accident weeks before his Olympics debut
View Date:2024-12-24 09:53:33
United States-born kitefoiler J.J. Rice, who was set to represent Tonga at the Paris Olympics, died in a diving accident. He was 18.
Rice's father Darren Rice confirmed his son's death Monday to the Matangi Tonga newspaper.
Jackson James Rice was set to become the first Caucasian to represent Tonga at an Olympic Games. His death happened Saturday at Faleloa, on the island of Ha'apai in the Tonga archipelago.
He was free diving from a boat when he suffered a suspected shallow water blackout, Matangi Tonga reported. Efforts to revive him were unsuccessful.
"I was blessed with the most amazing brother in the whole world and it pains me to say that he's passed away," Rice's sister Lily said in a Facebook post. "He was an amazing kitefoiler and he would have made it to the Olympics and come out with a big shiny medal. He made so many amazing friends all over the world."
Rice had recently returned to Tonga after competing in the 2024 Formula Kite World Championships in France, the Matangi Tonga reported.
Rice was born in the United States to British-born parents but grew up on Ha'apai where his parents operate a tourist lodge. "I've lived in Tonga my whole life, I see myself as a Tongan," he told Matangi Tonga last month. "I don't see myself as anything else."
Rice often posted videos of himself training in Tonga on his Instagram account.
In an Instagram post last month, Rice said he wanted to "say a big thank you to everyone who has supported, mentored, given me a couch to stay on and pushed me to my absolute limit."
"Thank you firstly to my mum and dad without you guys nothing would be possible," he wrote.
Rice finished eighth at the Sail Sydney event in December to earn his Olympic place. Kitefoiling will be an Olympic sport for the first time in Paris.
Rice recently had been training and competing in Europe.
Kitefoilers race on boards that are lifted off the water on foils and can reach speeds of more than 30 mph.
- In:
- Olympics
- Obituary
veryGood! (8)
Related
- Waymo’s robotaxis now open to anyone who wants a driverless ride in Los Angeles
- Future of Chiefs, Royals in KC could hinge on Tuesday vote to help with stadium funding
- Cold case solved 60 years after Ohio woman's dismembered remains found by fishermen
- A Texas woman sues prosecutors who charged her with murder after she self-managed an abortion
- Reese Witherspoon's Daughter Ava Phillippe Introduces Adorable New Family Member
- How many days until WrestleMania 40? How to watch Roman Reigns, The Rock, and more
- Minnesota Timberwolves sale: What we know about Alex Rodriguez and how deal collapsed
- College will cost up to $95,000 this fall. Schools say it’s OK, financial aid can numb sticker shock
- LSU student arrested over threats to governor who wanted a tiger at college football games
- Kylie Kelce Weighs in on Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift’s “Amazing” Relationship
Ranking
- The Daily Money: Markets react to Election 2024
- Caitlin Clark 3-point record: Iowa star sets career NCAA mark in Elite 8 game vs. LSU
- Andrew Garfield and Professional Witch Dr. Kate Tomas Double Date With Phoebe Bridgers and Bo Burnham
- Tucson police officer dies in car crash while responding to service call, department says
- Ex-Marine misused a combat technique in fatal chokehold of NYC subway rider, trainer testifies
- Refinery fire leaves two employees injured in the Texas Panhandle
- First vessel uses alternate channel to bypass wreckage at the Baltimore bridge collapse site
- College newspaper sweeps up 2 tiny publications in a volley against growing news deserts
Recommendation
-
'I was in total shock': Woman wins $1 million after forgetting lotto ticket in her purse
-
Convicted killer Alex Murdaugh sentenced to 40 years in federal prison for stealing from clients and his law firm
-
Bucknell University student found dead, unrelated to active shooter alert university says
-
SafeSport Center announces changes designed to address widespread complaints
-
Inside Dream Kardashian's Sporty 8th Birthday Party
-
Migrants in Iowa wonder whether to leave over a bill that could see some arrested and deported
-
What customers should know about AT&T's massive data breach
-
Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Echo Chamber