TORI BOWIE DIES AT 32 ‘’ YOUR ENERGY AND SMILE WILL ALWAYS BE WITH ME’’- SHELLY –ANN FRASER PRYCE

Mississippi born Tori Bowie has died, her management company confirmed on Wednesday.

The former World champion won 4 x 100m gold at the Rio 2016 Olympics, 100, silver and 200m bronze.

Bowie was found dead at her home in Orlando, Florida after the local sheriff’s department said they went “for a well-being check of a woman in her 30s who had not been seen or heard from in several days.” The department said.

Bowie had triumphed the following year after winning gold at Rio 2016 Olympics to claim the World Championships 100m in London beating Ivory Coast’s Marie-Josee Ta Lou in a photo finish as well as relay gold.

In an individual tribute, current 100m World Champion Shelly –Ann Fraser-Pryce said ‘’My heart breaks for Tori Bowie’s family. A great competitor and source of light.

‘’Your energy and smile will always be with me. Rest in peace.’’

‘’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 in a statement. A talent athlete, her impact on the sport is immeasurable, and she will be greatly missed.’’

Bowie converted from long jump in 2014 and had an immediate impact on track, becoming the fastest woman in the world that year. Phenomenal Bowie is the only American woman to have won an Olympic or 100m title since Carmelita Jeter in 2011.

‘’ A statement from Team USA, the country’s Olympic and Paralympic fraternity, added, ‘’She was an admired friend, team-mate, and a great representative of Team USA.’’

Icon Management Company, her agent said, ‘’We’re devastated to share the very sad news that Tori Bowie has passed away.

‘’We’re lost client, dear friend, daughter and sister. Tori was a champion… a beacon of light that shined so bright

‘’We’re truly heartbroken and prayers are with the family and friends.’’

Craig Poole, who coached Bowie at several points in her career in describing her said she was a very enthusiastic, sparkling personality, ‘’ She was really fun to work with,’’

Bowie enjoyed success at college after securing an athlete scholarship to the University of Southern Mississippi where she won national titles in 2011 in indoor and outdoor long jump. Upon graduation she concentrated on that discipline but her extra talent in sprint persuaded her to focus on sprint in 2014. She made a return to long jump in 2019, finishing fourth at the world championships.