Teen Athlete J.J. Rice Dead at 18 Just Weeks Before Olympics Debut
An 18-year-old athlete who was set to make his Olympics debut in Paris in July has died in a tragic diving accident. J.J. Rice, a U.S.-born kitefoiler, was set to represent Tonga at the 2024 Paris Olympics. His father, Darren Rice, confirmed the tragedy to the Matangi Tonga newspaper, per Entertainment Tonight. According to reports, he died on Saturday (June 15) at Faleloa, on the island of Ha’apai in the Tonga archipelago. The young athlete passed away after suffering a suspected shallow water blackout while free diving from a boat. He had recently competed in the 2024 Formula Kite World Cham...