Tori Bowie, a former Olympic and World Championship sprinter, died at the age of 32.
Her management confirmed the news on Wednesday, and no cause of death was given. Bowie was discovered deceased at her Florida home.
On the international level, the American won three gold medals, including one as a member of the USA 4x100m relay team at the 2016 Olympics.
In 2017, she added another relay gold medal to her collection at the World Athletics Championships in London, as well as an individual gold medal in the 100m, defeating Ivory Coast’s Marie-Josee Ta Lou. Bowie’s grandmother raised her in Mississippi, and she was well known for her humility on the circuit.
She began her career in the long jump before transitioning to sprinting in 2014. In 2019, Bowie competed in the long jump again, coming in fourth at the global championships. She did not seek to qualify for the US Olympic squad in Tokyo in 2021.
The passing of David Bowie stunned the track and field community, with many athletes and fans expressing their sympathies on social media. Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, a Jamaican sprinter, tweeted, “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.”
“USATF is deeply saddened by the passing of Tori Bowie, a three-time Olympic medalist and two-time world champion. A talented athlete, her impact on the sport is immeasurable, and she will be greatly missed.” said USA Track and Field CEO Max Siegel.
Bowie’s passing is a devastating loss for the track and field community as well as sports fans worldwide. Her accomplishments on the track were impressive, and her modesty and grace off the track helped her become a beloved figure in the sport. She will be remembered as a champion and a lighthouse whose energy and smile will go on.
