Tori Bowie, an American track and field star who won a gold medal in the 4×100 meter relay at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, has died, her management company said.
She was 32. A cause of death was not immediately revealed.
Icon Management Inc. released a statement on Bowie on Twitter.
“We’re devasted to share the very sad news that Tori Bowie has passed away,” the company said. “We’ve lost a client, dear friend, daughter, and sister.
Tori was a champion…a beacon of light that shined so bright! We’re heartbroken and pray with the family and friends.
Condolences poured in on social media for Bowie and her family.
Bowie was a standout long jumper competitor at the University of Southern Mississippi, winning an NCAA championship with the Golden Eagles in 2011 in outdoor and indoor competitions.
She made her first Olympic appearance at the Rio Games in 2016. Bowie won a silver medal in the 100-meter and a bronze in the 200-meter dash in addition to taking home the gold.
The following year at the World Championships in London, she won gold in the 4×100-meter relay and in the 100-meter dash. In 2015, she won a bronze at the World Championships in Beijing in the 100-meter event.
Today the track and field world lost one of its brightest stars when Olympic gold medalist Tori Bowie passed away at the young age of 32.
Bowie, who had just recently retired from professional athletics, was known for her blazing speed and tenacity on the track, and her untimely death has left the entire sports community reeling.
Born on August 27th, 1990, in Sand Hill, Mississippi, Bowie was a natural athlete from a young age. She excelled at basketball, but it wasn’t until she began competing in track and field events in high school that she discovered her true passion.
Bowie quickly made a name for herself as one of the top sprinters in the country, setting records and earning numerous accolades along the way.
After graduating from the University of Southern Mississippi, Bowie turned her focus to professional athletics. She made her mark on the international stage in 2014, when she won a silver medal in the 100 meters at the World Indoor Championships.
She followed that up with a gold medal in the 100 meters at the 2015 Pan American Games, and in 2016, she achieved the pinnacle of her career by winning a gold medal in the 4×100 meter relay and a silver medal in the 100 meters at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
Bowie’s success on the track was a testament to her incredible talent and hard work, but it was her indomitable spirit that truly set her apart. She was known for her fierce competitiveness and unwavering determination, and she never let setbacks or injuries get in her way.
In an interview with CNN following her retirement, Bowie spoke about the challenges she faced throughout her career and the mental toughness required to overcome them.
“I’ve had injuries that have kept me out for months, and I’ve had races where I didn’t perform the way I wanted to,” she said.
But I always tried to stay focused on the bigger picture and remember why I love this sport. It’s not just about winning medals, it’s about pushing yourself to be the best you can be, and inspiring others to do the same.”
Bowie’s impact on the sport of track and field extended far beyond her performances on the track. She was a role model and inspiration to countless young athletes around the world, and she used her platform to advocate for equality and social justice.
In 2020, she was one of the founding members of the Athlete Ally Power Forward Summit, which brought together athletes, coaches, and industry leaders to discuss ways to promote inclusivity and combat discrimination in sports.
Bowie’s death has left a void in the track and field world, but her legacy will continue to inspire future generations of athletes.
In a statement released following her passing, USA Track & Field CEO Max Siegel spoke about the impact Bowie had on the sport and the world at large.
“Tori was a fierce competitor and an even more remarkable person,” Siegel said. “Her passion for the sport and her dedication to making the world a better place was an inspiration to us all.
We are heartbroken by her passing, but we will always be grateful for the light she brought into our lives.”
As the track and field community mourns the loss of Tori Bowie, her family, friends, and fans are left to remember her as a gifted athlete, a passionate advocate, and a shining example of what it means to live life with purpose and determination.
