American sprinter and Olympic gold medalist Tori Bowie has died at the age of 32.
“We are devastated to share the very sad news that Tori Bowie has passed away,” said Icon Management Inc. in a statement Wednesday morning.
“We have lost a client, a dear friend, a daughter and a sister. Tori was a champion… a beacon of light that shone so brightly! We are truly heartbroken and our prayers are with the family and friends.”
This statement did not reveal or release Bowie’s cause of death. According to reports from TMZshe was found dead in Florida on Tuesday.
The athletic world began pouring out condolences to Bowie’s family as they had to deal with such a sudden loss of life.
American sprinter and Olympic gold medalist Tori Bowie has died at the age of 32
American record holder and three-time world champion Noah Lyles led the Bowie tribute
Her latest Instagram post alluded to a five-year absence from participating in athletic events
Outside of her runway success, Bowie was a model who appeared in magazines and fashion campaigns
American record holder and three-time world champion Noah Lyles led the Bowie tribute.
He responded to her management agency’s statement on Twitter, saying, “I can’t believe this.
“I just heard she’d be at her sister’s house and now this. This breaks my heart to hear and I will keep the family in my prayers.”
One of Bowie’s competitors, Jamaican Olympic champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce also paid tribute, tweetMy heart breaks for Tori Bowie’s family. A major competitor and source of light. Your energy and smile will always be with me. Rest in peace.’
Kenyan Olympic javelin thrower Julius Yego tweeted“So devastating and shocking to hear that Tori Bowie passed away
“The athletic world has lost a great champion and patriot of the sport, rest in peace Tori. Condolences to Tori Bowie’s extended family, together in prayers’
She won a silver medal in the 100 meters in Rio – just next to Jamaica’s Elaine Thompson
Bowie followed that up with a bronze medal in the 200 meters – her only career medal in that event
She ran the anchor leg of Team USA’s victorious effort at the 2016 Olympics 4x100m relay
After winning the bronze medal at the 2015 World Championships, Bowie qualified for the U.S. Olympic team for the 2016 Rio Olympics.
There she qualified to race for Team USA in the finals of the 4x100m relay, 100m and 200m.
She won silver in the 100m sprint, finishing with a time of 10.83 and just behind gold winner Elaine Thompson of Jamaica who achieved a 10.71. In the 200 metres, Thompson won gold again and Dutch Dafne Schippers won silver while Bowie finished with bronze.
But along with fellow sprinters English Gardner, Allyson Felix and Tianna Bartoletta, Bowie helped Team USA retain the gold in the 4x100m relay by running the anchor leg and beating Jamaican Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce.
A year later, at the 2017 World Championships in Athletics in London, she won the gold medal in the 100 meters and again in the 4×100 meters relay.
At the 2019 World Championships in Qatar, Bowie reached the semi-finals of the 100 meters but did not start after qualifying. She was not part of the women’s 4x100m team – Team USA finished third with an all new cast of Dezerea Bryant, Teahna Daniels, Morolake Akinosun and Kiara Parker.
Her last Instagram post from October 2019 showed a video competing in the long jump at that same event with the caption, “What a journey, what a journey… finishing 4th in the world considering I haven’t been there in 5 years been more. is a huge achievement for me!
Alongside England’s Gardner, Allyson Felix, Tianna Bartoletta, Bowie helped the US retain the relay gold they won in London in 2012, beating Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce of Jamaica
Bowie was also successful on the world stage the following year, winning the 100 meters in London
She also helped the Americans regain the World Cup medal in the 4×100 meter relay in 2017
Bowie last competed on the world stage at the 2019 World Championships in Qatar
‘Let’s just say I’m looking forward to Tokyo! To all who are chasing their dreams, have courage and determination! I know I will.’
But according to data from the 2020 U.S. Olympic Team Trials, Bowie did not qualify for the 100 meters, 200 meters or the long jump.
According to Runners World, Bowie had not competed since June 4 last year, when she finished 5th in a 200-meter race in Florida.
In addition to her success on the track, Bowie was also a model on it. She posed for ESPN The Magazine’s annual Body Issue and was featured in a Valentino campaign.