American sprinter and Olympic gold medalist Tori Bowie has died at the age of 32.
‘We’re devastated to share the very sad news that Tori Bowie has passed away,’ Icon Management Inc. said in a statement Wednesday morning.
‘We’ve lost a client, dear friend, daughter and sister. Tori was a champion…a beacon of light that shined so bright! We’re truly heartbroken and our prayers are with the family and friends.’
This statement did not reveal or release the cause of Bowie’s death. According to reports from TMZ, she was found dead on Tuesday in Florida.
The world of track and field began pouring out condolences to Bowie’s family as they dealt with such a sudden loss of life.
American sprinter and Olympic gold medalist Tori Bowie has died at the age of 32
US record holder and three-time world champion Noah Lyles led the tributes to Bowie
Her final Instagram post alluded to a five year absence from competing in track & field events
Outside of her track success, Bowie was a model appearing in magazines & fashion campaigns
US record holder and three-time world champion Noah Lyles led the tributes to Bowie.
He responded to her management agency’s statement on Twitter, saying: ‘I can’t believe this.
‘I had just heard word of her going to be with her sister back home and now this. This breaks my heart to hear and I will keep the family in my prayers.’
One of Bowie’s competitors, Jamaican Olympic champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce also paid tribute, tweeting, ‘My heart breaks for the family of Tori Bowie. A great competitor and source of light. Your energy and smile will always be with me. Rest in peace.’
Kenyan Olympian javelin thrower Julius Yego tweeted, ‘So devastating and shocking to learn of the passing on of Tori Bowie
‘The world of athletics have lost a great champion and patriot of the sport, rest in peace Tori. Condolences to the greater family of Tori Bowie, together in prayers’
She earned a silver medal in the 100m in Rio – just missing out to Jamaica’s Elaine Thompson
Bowie followed that up with a bronze medal in the 200m – her only career medal in that event
She ran the anchor leg of Team USA’s victorious effort in the 2016 Olympics 4x100m relay
After winning the bronze medal at the 2015 World Championships, Bowie qualified for the US Olympic Team for the Rio Olympics in 2016.
There, she qualified to race for Team USA in the finals of the 4×100 meter relay, the 100m and the 200m.
She won silver in the 100m dash, finishing with a time of 10.83 and just behind gold winner Elaine Thompson of Jamaica who snagged a 10.71. In the 200m event, Thompson won gold again and Holland’s Dafne Schippers won silver as Bowie finished with the bronze.
But alongside fellow sprinters English Gardner, Allyson Felix, and Tianna Bartoletta, Bowie helped Team USA retain the gold in the 4x100m relay by running the anchor leg and outlasting Jamaica’s Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce.
A year later at the 2017 World Athletics Championships in London, she took home the gold medal in the 100m and again in the 4x100m relay.
At the 2019 World Championships in Qatar, Bowie made the semifinals of the 100m but did not start after qualifying. She was not part of the women’s 4x100m team – with Team USA finishing third with an entirely new cast of Dezerea Bryant, Teahna Daniels, Morolake Akinosun, and Kiara Parker.
Her final Instagram post from October of 2019 showed a video competing in the long jump at that same event with the caption, ‘What a journey what a journey… finishing 4th in the world considering I’ve been away from it for 5 years is a huge accomplishment for me!
Alongside English Gardner, Allyson Felix, Tianna Bartoletta, Bowie helped the US keep the relay gold they won in London in 2012 outrunning Jamaica’s Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce
Bowie was also successful the next year on the world stage, winning the 100m in London
She also helped the Americans win back the 4x100m relay World Championship medal in 2017
Bowie last competed on the world stage at the 2019 World Championships held in Qatar
‘Let’s just say I’m looking forward to Tokyo! To everyone chasing their dreams out there keep the courage and determination! I know I will.’
But according to records from the 2020 US Olympic Team Trials, Bowie didn’t compete in qualifying for the 100m, 200m or the long jump.
According to Runners World, Bowie hadn’t competed since June 4 of last year, when she finished 5th in a 200m race down in Florida.
In addition to her success on the track, Bowie was a model off of it. She posed for ESPN The Magazine’s annual Body Issue and was featured in a Valentino campaign.
For all the latest Sports News Click Here
