US sprinter Tori Bowie passes away aged 32
The North American sprinter was a triple Olympic medalist and two-time world champion. “We are devastated” they say from their representation agency.
From very modest origins in Sand Hill, Mississippi, Tori Bowie achieved eternal glory in the athletics world after becoming a triple Olympic medalist in Rio 2016 (gold in the 4x100m, silver in the 100m, and bronze in the 200m) and a two-time world champion at the 2017 London World Championships (100m and 4x100m).
She also won a bronze medal at the 2015 Beijing World Cups (100m) and came fourth in Doha 2019 (long jump). Numbers and achievements place the North American among the upper elite of sprinting history. With immense sadness, her management agency announced that Tori had passed away in Florida, aged 32 years old.
“We’re devastated to share the sad news that Tori Bowie has passed away. 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,” a statement from her Icon management agency representative read.
At 5 ft 9 in tall, Bowie had all the innate physical qualities needed to be a top-level sprinter. Her personal best times were 10.78 in 100m, 21.77 in 200m, and 6.91 in the long jump, her three specialized events.
In recent years, her participation and appearances in public dropped almost entirely to the point where she did not even attend the Tokyo Games in 2021. Two reasons for that have been mentioned. On the one hand, Bowie was expelled from her training group, in which he shared the limelight with athletes such as Shaunae Miller-Uibo, with whom, according to several US media reports, she had a fight which was the leading cause of her departure. On the other hand, in recent years, there has been speculation that she was suffering from depression, which might be the reason behind her death.
Kimberly Holland, the agent of Bowie, expressed her disappointment towards the hurtful speculations that came out in the aftermath of Bowie’s death in an interview with CBS News. Holland hopes that people will apologize now that the truth has been revealed.
Based on an autopsy report obtained by USA Today Sports, Bowie’s death was considered a natural occurrence. The report also stated that Bowie was approximately eight months pregnant and in labor at the time of her passing. Possible complications that Bowie could have experienced include respiratory distress and eclampsia, characterized by the development of seizures or convulsions during pregnancy.
In May, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office said deputies had attended a home in the area “for a well-being check of a woman in her 30s who had not been seen or heard from in several days.” A woman “tentatively identified as Frentorish’ Tori’ Bowie was found dead in the home”.