Jackson James Rice dead at 18: Olympics star dies weeks before making history at Paris 2024 games [Video]

JACKSON JAMES RICE has tragically died in a diving accident aged 18 just weeks before being due to compete at the Paris Olympics.

The teenager had been set to become the first Caucasian to represent Tonga at an Olympic Games, having qualified for the new kite-foiling event.

Rice died in Faleloa, Tonga on Saturday from a “suspected shallow water blackout”.

He had been free diving from a boat when the tragic incident occurred.

His body was found beneath the boat at 12:15pm with subsequent resuscitation attempts unsuccessful, his father Darren confirmed to the Matangi Tonga newspaper.

Rice’s sister Lily paid an emotional tribute to her brother on social media on Sunday.

She wrote on Facebook: “I was blessed with the most amazing brother in the whole world and it pains me to say that he’s passed away.

“He was an amazing kitefoiler and …