Tori Bowie was an American track and field athlete who specializes in sprinting and long jumping. She was born on August 27, 1990, in Sand Hill, Mississippi, USA.
Bowie initially competed in the long jump and won a bronze medal in that event at the 2013 World Championships. However, she later shifted her focus to sprinting and has since become one of the top female sprinters in the world.
At the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Bowie won three medals: a gold in the 4x100m relay, a silver in the 100m, and a bronze in the 200m. She also won a gold medal in the 100m at the 2017 World Championships and a silver in the 4x100m relay at the 2019 World Championships.
Bowie had a personal best of 10.78 seconds in the 100m and 21.77 seconds in the 200m. She has also recorded a personal best of 6.95 meters in the long jump.
Former World champion sprinter and three-time Olympic medallist, Tori Bowie passes away aged 32
The management company for American sprinter Tori Bowie announced on 3rd of May, 2023, Wednesday that she has passed away at the age of 32. She passed away on 2nd May, 2023 in her residence in Florida.
Bowie won three Olympic medals at the 2016 Rio Games, taking home gold in the 4x100m, silver in the 100, and bronze in the 200. A year later, in London, at the World Championships, he achieved even more glory.
Before adding a further 100m gold to her collection, she participated in a successful 4x100m relay squad once more. Bowie is the only American woman to have won the 100m Olympic or world championship since 2011.
Bowie switched to the long jump in 2014 before competing again in the competition five years later, where she finished fourth.
Tori Bowie’s management team released the following statement
The agency named Icon Management released a statement: “We’re devastated to share the very 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 heartbroken and our prayers are with the family and friends.”
“USATF is deeply saddened by the passing of Tori Bowie, a three-time Olympic medalist, and two-time world champion,” Max Siegel, the CEO of USA Track and Field, said.
“A talented athlete, her impact on the sport is immeasurable, and she will be greatly missed.”
Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Noah Lyles paid tribute to Bowie on social media
The two-time Olympic 100m winner Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce paid tribute to Bowie on social media after frequently competing against him on the track.
She tweeted: “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.”
Likewise, Fellow American sprinter Noah Lyles wrote: “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.”
Tori Bowie was discovered dead at her Residence
On May 2, 2023, authorities conducted a wellness check at the residence of Tori Bowie in Orange County, Florida. This was due to concerns that had arisen after she had not been seen or heard from for several days. Unfortunately, Bowie was found dead at her home. She was 32 years old at the time of her passing.
Also Read: American Swimmer Jamie Cail Dies at 42, Leaving Behind Her Loving Parents
No official statement has been released about the cause of her death as of yet. However, her body was discovered at her Florida residence. The exact cause of her death remains unknown, and there are conflicting beliefs about what may have happened. Some have suggested that her death was the result of suicide, while others believe it was due to a stroke.
Tori Bowie’s early life
Tori Bowie was raised in Sand Hill, Rankin County, Mississippi, went to Pisgah High School, and started competing for the school in track. Bowie earned state titles in the 100 meters and the long jump as a junior in 2007 and the 100 meters, 200 meters, and long jump as a senior in 2008 in Mississippi. She also competed for the state squad in women’s basketball and won three state championships in the 4100 m relay.
She competed collegiately for the University of Southern Mississippi and was a two-time NCAA Division I long jump champion, winning indoors and outdoors in 2011. After the 2014 World Indoor Championships, where she made her international debut competing in the long jump, she switched her focus to sprints.
She won the silver medal in the 100 m and bronze in the 200 m at the 2016 Rio Olympics, bronze and gold in the 100 m at the 2015 and 2017 World Championships, respectively, and also earned gold medals as part of U.S. women’s 4 × 100 m relays at both the 2016 Olympic Games and 2017 World Championships.
During the 2019 BYU Robison Invitational, which took place on the Clarence Robison Track at Brigham Young University, Bowie achieved an impressive feat as she was able to jump a distance of 6.78 meters, which translates to approximately 22 feet and 2 inches.
This jump was significant because it met the entry standard required for the 2019 World Championships, which indicates that Bowie possessed a high level of skill and talent in their sport. Overall, Bowie’s performance at the 2019 BYU Robison Invitational was impressive and demonstrated their abilities as an athlete.
Tori Bowie had supportive parents
Tori Bowie, a resident of Sand Hill in Rankin County, Mississippi, was born on August 27, 1990, to Bobbie Dennis Smith and Dennis Smith. However, despite being born into a family, the athlete reportedly had to go into foster care along with her younger sister. At the time, her sister Tamarra was just eleven months old, and Tori was only two. Their grandmother, Bobbie Smith, took the responsibility of raising both sisters and became a significant influence in Tori’s life.
According to Daily Mail, Tori Bowie considered her grandmother as her role model. Bobbie Smith, who raised Tori and Tamarra, inspired Tori to become a three-time world championship champion. Although Tori’s father, Dennis Smith, was “in and out” of her childhood, Tori still preserved her mother’s name.
Sadly, Tori Bowie’s grandmother passed away suddenly and abruptly, leaving the athlete’s family in shock. Tamarra Bowie, Tori’s younger sister, accompanied her to numerous games across the globe and referred to herself as the “bothersome younger sister.” Despite the challenges they faced growing up, Tori and Tamarra were able to draw inspiration from their grandmother’s strength and love, which helped shape Tori into the successful athlete she became.
