It has been confirmed by her management company that Tori Bowie, an acclaimed track and field star who won three medals at the Rio Olympics, has sadly passed away.
On Tuesday, the 32-year-old was found in Florida, however the exact circumstances and cause of death remain unclear. Icon Management, which represented Bowie, released a statement expressing their sadness: “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.”
Bowie first began pursuing sports as a basketball player, but later switched to track and field as a teen. Her impressive performances in sprinting and the long jump saw her attend the University of Southern Mississippi, where she twice became NCAA champion for the long jump in both indoor and outdoor track.
In 2016, she traveled to the Rio Olympics and won two individual medals, a silver in the 100m and a bronze in the 200m, as well as being part of the gold-winning 4x100m relay team. A year later, Bowie became the fastest woman in the world following her 100m dash in 10.85 seconds, and in 2019 she placed fourth in the long jump at the World Championships.
USA Track and Field CEO, Max Siegel, paid tribute to Bowie, saying she was a “talented athlete” who had an “immeasurable” impact on the sport. He concluded his statement by saying that she “will be greatly missed.”