American sprinter and Olympic champion Tori Bowie has died at the age of 32.
“We are devastated to share the very sad news that Tori Bowie has passed away,” Icon Management Inc. said in a statement Wednesday morning.
“We lost a client, a dear friend, a daughter and a sister. Tori was a champion…a beacon that shone so bright! We are truly heartbroken and our prayers are with family and friends.’
This statement did not reveal or publicize Bowie’s cause of death. According to reports from TMZ, she was found dead in Florida on Tuesday.
The athletics world began to offer its condolences to Bowie’s family as they coped with such a sudden loss of life.
American sprinter and Olympic champion Tori Bowie has died at the age of 32
US record holder and three-time world champion Noah Lyles led the tributes to Bowie
Her last Instagram post alluded to a five-year absence from competing in athletics events
Aside from her success on the racetrack, Bowie was a model, appearing in magazines and fashion campaigns
US record holder and three-time world champion Noah Lyles led the tributes to Bowie.
Responding to her management agency’s statement on Twitter, he said: “I can’t believe this.
“I had just heard that she will be at her sister’s house and now this. It breaks my heart to hear this and I will keep the family in my prayers.’
One of Bowie’s competitors, Jamaican Olympic gold medalist Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce also paid tribute. tweet, “My heart breaks for Tori Bowie’s family. A great competitor and light source. Your energy and smile will always be with me. Rest in peace.’
The Kenyan javelin thrower at the Olympic Games Julius Yego tweeted“It is so devastating and shocking to learn of the death of Tori Bowie
“The world of athletics has lost a great champion and patriot of the sport, rest in peace Tori. Condolences to the extended family of Tori Bowie, together in prayer.
She won a silver medal in the 100m in Rio, just behind Elaine Thompson of Jamaica
Bowie followed with a bronze medal in the 200m – her only career medal at the event
She ran the final leg of Team USA’s winning performance in the 4x100m relay at the 2016 Olympics
After winning the bronze medal at the 2015 World Championships, Bowie qualified for the US Olympic team for the 2016 Rio Olympics.
There she qualified for Team USA in the finals of the 4×100 meter relay, 100 meter and 200 meter dash.
She won silver in the 100-meter dash with a time of 10.83, just behind gold medalist Elaine Thompson of Jamaica, who grabbed a 10.71. In the 200m, Thompson again won gold and Dafne Schippers of the Netherlands took silver, while Bowie finished with bronze.
But alongside fellow sprinters English Gardner, Allyson Felix and Tianna Bartoletta, Bowie helped Team USA retain the gold in the 4x100m relay by running the anchor stage and passing Jamaica’s Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce.
A year later, she won gold in the 100m and again in the 4x100m relay at the 2017 World Athletics Championships in London.
At the 2019 World Championships in Qatar, Bowie reached the 100m semifinals but did not start after qualifying. She wasn’t part of the women’s 4 x 100m team – Team USA finished third with an all-new line-up of Dezerea Bryant, Teahna Daniels, Morolake Akinosun and Kiara Parker.
Her most recent Instagram post from October 2019 featured a video of her competing in the long jump at the same event, with the caption: “What a journey, what a journey… to finish 4th in the world considering I… Being away from it for 5 years is a great achievement for me!
Along with English Gardner, Allyson Felix and Tianna Bartoletta, Bowie helped USA retain the relay gold they won in London in 2012 when they passed Jamaica’s Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce
Bowie continued to have success on the world stage the next year, winning the 100m in London
She also helped the Americans regain the 2017 World Championships medal in the 4x100m relay
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 those out there chasing their dreams, keep your courage and determination! I know I will.’
But according to records from the 2020 US Olympic Team Trials, Bowie did not compete in the 100m, 200m or long jump qualifiers.
According to Runners World, Bowie has not competed since June 4 last year, when she placed 5th in a 200-meter dash in Florida.
In addition to her success on the racetrack, Bowie was a model of it. She posed for ESPN The Magazine’s annual Body issue and was part of a Valentino campaign.