Tori Bowie, a sprinter and long jumper who won three Olympic medals at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games, has passed away at the age of 32. Her management company and USA Track and Field announced her death, but no cause of death has been given.
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office in Florida found Bowie dead in her home after a well-being check. The woman, tentatively identified as Frentorish “Tori” Bowie, was found dead in the home, and there were no signs of foul play.
Bowie was a talented athlete who swept the long jump NCAA championships at the indoor and outdoor events in 2011 while attending Southern Mississippi. She won silver in the 100 and bronze in the 200 at the 2016 Olympics and was part of the gold-winning 4×100 team. In 2017, she won the 100 meters at the world championships in London and helped the 4×100 team to gold.
Her impact on the sport is immeasurable, and she will be greatly missed, according to USA Track and Field CEO Max Siegel. Bowie was known for her enthusiasm and sparkling personality, and her loss has been mourned by the track and field community.
Jamaican sprint sensation Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce posted on Twitter: “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.”
U.S. hurdler Lolo Jones also posted on Twitter: “Too young. Gutted to hear about Tori Bowie. Incredible talent. A beautiful runner. I pray for the comfort of her family, thank you for blessing us with her. The running community mourns an incredible loss.”
Brittney Reese, a three-time Olympic medalist in the long jump, wrote: “I’m so heartbroken over this … You have made a lot of us proud thank you for representing our state of Mississippi like you did … RIP!”
Bowie was taken in by her grandmother as an infant after she was left at a foster home. She considered herself a basketball player and only reluctantly showed up for track, but Bowie was a fast learner, becoming a state champion in the 100, 200 and long jump before going to college.
In a post on Twitter, Icon Management included a picture of Bowie holding up her hands in the shape of a heart. The management company wrote: “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.”
The track and field world has lost a true champion in Tori Bowie. Her impact on the sport and her sparkling personality will be missed.