Three-time Olympic medalist Tori Bowie has died at the age of 32.
The American sprinter, who won three medals at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, was found dead in her Florida home on Tuesday, according to ABC News.
On Wednesday, USA Track and Field announced Bowie’s death via its official Twitter page: “USATF is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Tori Bowie, a three-time Olympic medalist and two-time world champion. Her impact on the sport is immeasurable, and she will be greatly missed.”
As ABC News reported on Wednesday, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office in Orlando, Florida, stated that Bowie’s dead body was discovered inside her home when they responded to a call “for a well-being check of a woman in her 30s who had not been seen or heard from in several days.” Although Bowie’s cause of death is unknown, the sheriff’s office has ruled out signs of foul play.
Born and bred in Mississippi, Bowie emerged as a track and field star in high school teenager and later attended The University of Southern Mississippi. Among the many accolades she earned at the university, Bowie proved she was an Olympic winner in the making by sweeping the long jump at the National Collegiate Athletics Association indoor and outdoor championships in 2011.
At the 2016 Rio Olympics, Bowie took home silver in the 100-meter race, as well as bronze in the 200. She also anchored the gold medal-winning 4×100 team, along with teammates Tianna Bartoletta, Allyson Felix, and English Gardner.
A year later at London’s world championships, Bowie won the 100-meter race and also captured gold with the 4×100 team.
Several of Bowie’s coaches, teammates, and opponents are expressing their condolences following the news of her death.
Craig Poole, who coached Bowie since her early days, praised the star athlete in an interview with the Associated Press. “She was a very enthusiastic, sparkling personality,” he said. “She was really fun to work with.”
“My heart breaks for the family of Tori Bowie,” Jamaican sprinter Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce tweeted. “A great competitor and source of light. Your energy and smile will always be with me. Rest in peace.”
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.
— ShellyAnnFraserPryce (@realshellyannfp) May 3, 2023
Lolo Jones tweeted she was gutted to hear the news. “Incredible talent. A beautiful runner,” she captioned several images of the memories she made with Bowie on the field. “I pray for the comfort of her family, thank you for blessing us with her. The running community mourns an incredible loss.”
đđ too young. Gutted to hear about Tori Bowie. Incredible talent. A beautiful runner.
I pray for the comfort of her family, thank your for blessing us with her. The running community mourns an incredible loss pic.twitter.com/XwIGCkna59
— Lolo Jones (@lolojones) May 3, 2023