American track and field star Tori Bowie, a three-time Olympic medalist and a two-time world champion in track and field, has died. She was 32 years old.
“We’re devasted to share the very sad news that Tori Bowie has passed away,” Icon Management said in a statement on Twitter. “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.”
TMZ reported that Bowie was found deceased in Florida on Tuesday. No cause of death was given.
As an infant, Bowie was adopted by her grandmother after she was abandoned at a foster home. Growing up in Mississippi, she was urged to try competing in track as a teenager and she quickly excelled, becoming a high school champion. She later attended Southern Miss where she “swept the long jump NCAA championships” in 2011, according to ESPN.
In the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, Bowie won a gold medal in the 4x100m, a silver medal in the 100m, and a bronze medal in the 200m.
In 2017, Bowie won gold medals at the World Athletics Championships in the 100m and 4x100m.
Tributes to Bowie quickly poured in online.
“USATF is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Tori Bowie, a three-time Olympic medalist and two-time world champion,” USA Track & Field (USATF), the National Governing Body for track and field, said in a statement. “Her impact on the sport is immeasurable, and she will be greatly missed.”
Team USA tweeted, “We join our friends at USA Track & Field and across the Olympic community in mourning the passing of 3x Olympic medalist Tori Bowie.”
“She was an admired friend, teammate, and a great representative of Team USA,” Team USA added. “We send our sincere condolences to all who know and loved her.”
We join our friends at USA Track & Field and across the Olympic community in mourning the passing of 3x Olympic medalist Tori Bowie.
She was an admired friend, teammate, and a great representative of Team USA. We send our sincere condolences to all who know and loved her. pic.twitter.com/rbZ2JTYeQy
— Team USA (@TeamUSA) May 3, 2023
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