By Chris Chavez
May 3, 2023
Three-time Olympic medalist and two-time world champion Tori Bowie has died at 32 years old, her management team announced on Thursday morning.
"We're devastated 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.”
No cause of death was publicly shared.
Here’s what you need to know:
– Tori Bowie was a professional sprinter who rose to prominence in 2014 when she shifted her focus from the long jump to the 100 meters and 200 meters with tremendous success. She
– She medaled in all three events at the Rio Olympics with a gold in the 4x100m relay, a silver in the 100m and a bronze in the 200m.
– One year later, she captured her first individual gold medal at a global championships with a victory in the 100m over Ivory Coast's Marie-Josee Ta Lou by less than a hundredth of a second. She is the last American woman to have won the world championships 100m gold medal.
– Bowie also won the 2011 NCAA indoor and outdoor long jump title while at Southern Miss.
– She last competed in June 2022 at a meet in Montverde, Florida.
– She finished her career with personal bests of 7.11 for 60m, 10.78 for 100m (Tied for No. 17 on the all-time list and No. 7 on the all-time U.S. list), 21.77 for 200m (Tied for No. 18 on the all-time list and tied for No. 6 on the all-time U.S. list) and 6.95m for the long jump.
Tributes Pour In
– "I had the pleasure of coaching Tori Bowie from 2014-2018. I was lucky enough to be there first hand for some of the most spectacular moments in track career, which I feel I need to share with everyone. Tori, you will be missed and forever loved! My condolences to her family, which I know for a fact she had great pride in representing on the world stage! She was also really proud of where she came from honored to represent her home town of Sand Hill Mississippi!! Always and forever, Coach B." – Coach Lance Brauman
– "My heart breaks for the family of Tori Bowie. A great competitor and source of light. Your energy and smile will always be with me. Rest in peace." – Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce
– "I can’t believe this. I had just heard word of her going to be with her sister back home and now this. This breaks my heart to hear and I will keep the family in my prayers." – Noah Lyles
– "I'm so heartbroken over this ... You have made a lot of us proud thank you for representing our state of Mississippi like you did ... RIP ! 💔" – Brittney Reese
– "This hurt… Long live the champ, the sister, the daughter, the model and so much more! 💙 Tori Bowie" – Will Claye
– "Today will be a tough one. It’s never easy hearing and seeing these things, especially when it’s someone you know. Tori, you were an amazing person both on and off the track. I am sorry. I can only hope that your heart was in the right place before you left from here! I have to share this funny story. When Tori first turned pro, she, myself and Isaiah Young were over in Italy. Tori was like “Man, where y’all going next?” — with the deepest accent you can imagine 😂. I was like no, you tell us where you’re going. She said muh-nah-co (that’s how it sounded). I looked at Isaiah and said “Huh”…. She was like “Here look at my schedule”. I took the paper… it was MONACO 🇲🇨 😝. In unison, Isaiah and I said THATS MONACO TORI 😂. I have only said Monaco her way since and that was years ago! It won’t change now! Rest Well Tori! My prayers and deepest condolences to the family and all those affected by this tragedy!" – Manteo Mitchell
Chris Chavez
Chris Chavez launched CITIUS MAG in 2016 as a passion project while working full-time for Sports Illustrated. He covered the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro and grew his humble blog into a multi-pronged media company. He completed all six World Marathon Majors and is an aspiring sub-five-minute miler.