Rio 2016 Olympic relay champion Tori Bowie dies at 32
The American, who won women's 4x100m relay gold at Rio 2016 in addition to 100m silver and 200m bronze, also won the 100m world title in 2017.
Athletics
Rio 2016 Olympic track and field champion and 2017 World Athletics Championships gold medallist Tori Bowie has passed away, according to her management agency.
The American, who won three medals in Rio de Janeiro before clinching world 100m gold the following year, was 32.
In a tweet, her agency Icon Management wrote: "We’re devasted 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 truly heartbroken and our prayers are with the family and friends."
IOC President Thomas Bach said in a tweet: "Shocked and deeply saddened to learn of the sudden passing of Olympic gold medallist Tori Bowie. In this moment of grief, let me express my heartfelt condolences to her family and friends. The sports world has lost a true champion."
Bowie ran the anchor leg for the United States team that won gold in the women's 4x100m relay final in Rio de Janeiro, accomplishing the feat alongside teammates Tianna Bartoletta, Allyson Felix, English Gardner, and heat runner Morolake Akinosun.
She also shone in her individual events, splitting the Jamaican pair of Elaine Thompson-Herah and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce for silver on the women's 100m podium, as well as taking bronze in the 200m behind Thompson-Herah and Netherlands' Dafne Schippers.
Most notably, she followed up on that success by clinching the 100m world title in Beijing in 2017.
Falling behind Côte d'Ivoire's Marie-Josée Ta Lou early, Bowie quickly closed the gap before dipping for the line ahead of her rivals to win gold.
Her last major international competition was the World Athletics Championships in 2019, where she finished fourth in the long jump.
Fellow track and field stars lead tributes to Tori Bowie
- Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce: "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."
- Noah Lyles: "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."
- Will Claye: "This hurt… Long live the champ, the sister, the daughter, the model and so much more!"
- USA Track and Field: "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."