Promising Young Athlete, Jackson James Rice, Dies at 18 just Weeks Before Olympic Debut
Jackson James Rice, an up-and-coming kite foil racing star, tragically passed away this weekend just weeks before his debut in the 2024 Olympics. He was only 18.
Rice’s father, Darren, confirmed his son died on Saturday during a free diving accident in Faleloa, Tonga. It’s believed JJ suffered a shallow water blackout.
JJ’s father said other divers found his body around 12:15 PM on the seafloor … under the boat. They tried to resuscitate him but he passed away.
JJ was weeks away from making history at the Paris Olympics kite foiling event … the first time the sport has been part of the Games. Rice was born in the U.S., but was representing Tonga.
Kite foiling is kiteboarding … except the board has a hydrofoil underneath, allowing it to go faster (there are other differences as well).