Young kite-foil sailor Jackson James Rice dies in diving accident weeks before Olympic debut

Kite foil sailor JJ Rice, who was due to represent Tonga at the Paris Olympics, has died in a diving accident. He was 18 years old.

Rice's father, Darren Rice, confirmed his son's death to the Matangi Tonga newspaper.

Jackson James Rice was to be the first Caucasian to represent Tonga at the Olympic Games.

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His death occurred on Saturday in Faleloa, on the island of Ha'apai in the Tonga archipelago.

He was snorkeling from a boat when he suffered a suspected water shortage in shallow water, Matangi Tonga reported. Efforts to resuscitate him failed.

“I was blessed to have the most amazing brother in the entire world and it pains me to say that he has passed away,” Rice's sister Lily said in a Facebook post.

“He was an incredible kitefoiler and he would have made it to the Olympics and come out with a big shiny medal. He has made so many wonderful friends all over the world.

Other friends paid tribute to the teenager on social media.

“I can't put into words how I feel right now. I still can't believe it, when I woke up to this news I thought you were playing. You are the most amazing friend anyone could ask for and anyone who has spent time with you would agree,” a friend wrote.

Rice was born in the United States to parents of British descent, but grew up in Ha'apai, where his parents operated a tourist lodge.

He finished eighth at the Sail Sydney event in December to earn his Olympic berth. Kite-foiling will be an Olympic sport for the first time in Paris.

Rice had recently been training and competing in Europe.

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