The American Tori Bowie, triple Olympic medalist in Rio 2016, has died at the age of 32, as reported by her representation agency.
“We are devastated to share the very sad news that Tori Bowie has passed away. We have lost a client, dear friend, daughter and sister. Tori was a champion…a beacon of light that shined so bright! We are truly heartbroken and our prayers are with family and friends," says the announcement, in which she does not specify the cause of her death.
The North American achieved silver in the 100 meters, bronze in the 200 and gold in the 4x100 relay in the Brazilian event. She was also double world champion in London 2017 in 100 and 4x100, and bronze in the 100 in Beijing 2015, among other achievements.
Bowie was taken in by his grandmother as a baby after being placed in foster care. She considered herself a basketball player and only begrudgingly showed up for track, but she Bowie was a fast learner and she became a state champion in the 100, 200 and long jump before going to college. Her first major international medal was a bronze in the 100m at the 2015 worlds. After winning, she said, "All my life my grandmother told me that she could do whatever she set her mind to."
After one last feat in 2019 at the Doha World Cup (4th in the long jump), the Mississippi sprinter (personal best of 10 s 78 in 100 m) never returned to her best level. She had only competed in an official event in 2022, about 200 meters in Florida, far from the international games.
"My heart breaks thinking of Tori Bowie's family, a superb rival and a sunny person. Your energy and smile will be with me forever," Jamaican sprint legend Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce wrote on her social media. double. Olympic champion in the 100 m.
