Tori Bowie, a three-time Olympic medalist and two-time global champion in track and field, has passed away at the age of 32, according to her agent, Kimberly Holland. Holland reported that Bowie was discovered dead at a residence in Florida, and the cause of death is currently unknown.
Bowie’s representation and Holland’s company, Icon Management Inc., posted on Instagram, expressing their condolences and announcing the tragic news. The post read, “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 our prayers are with the family, friends, and everyone who loved her.”
Tori Bowie was a native of Sandhill, Mississippi, and a three-time All-American at the University of Southern Mississippi. She made history at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, where she won three medals, including gold in the 4x100m relay, silver in the 100 meters, and bronze in the 200 meters. Bowie continued her success at the 2017 world championships, winning gold in both the 100 meters and the 4x100m.
World Athletics (WA) expressed their condolences to Bowie’s family, friends, and the USA track and field community in a statement to CNN. WA praised Bowie’s exceptional talent, stating that “she represented the United States in both sprints and jumps during her decorated career.” They added that Bowie’s “rare athletic talent” was instrumental in her success and that “she reached the pinnacle of our sport” during her career.
Numerous athletes have taken to social media to express their grief and offer their condolences. Jamaican sprinter Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce said on an Instagram post by World Athletics that the news “breaks my heart,” while US long jumper and Mississippi native Brittney Reese tweeted, “You have made a lot of us proud thank you for representing our state of Mississippi like you did … RIP!”
Bowie’s last official competition was in June 2022, and her last appearance on the world stage was in 2019 at the world championships in Doha, where she finished fourth in the long jump. The track and field community has lost a remarkable athlete, and Bowie’s legacy as a champion and a “beacon of light” will continue to inspire athletes for years to come.
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