Tori Bowie Dies at Age 32: Olympic and World Athletics Championships 100m Champion

Tori Bowie, the American track and field athlete, has died at the age of 32, leaving the athletics world in shock. Bowie, who won the gold medal in the women's 100m at the 2017 World Athletics Championships in London, had been one of the most promising sprinters of her generation.

Bowie's death was confirmed by her family in a statement released on Tuesday. The cause of her death has not been disclosed, and the family has requested privacy during this difficult time.

Born in Sandhill, Mississippi, Bowie was a versatile athlete who excelled in both track and field events. She burst onto the scene in 2014, winning a bronze medal in the women's 200m at the USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships. She followed that up with a silver medal in the same event at the 2015 World Championships in Beijing.

But it was her performance in the 100m at the 2016 Rio Olympics that really made her a household name. Bowie, who had narrowly missed out on a medal in the 200m, ran a personal best time of 10.83 seconds to win the silver medal in the 100m behind Jamaica's Elaine Thompson.

Bowie went on to win the gold medal in the women's 100m at the 2017 World Athletics Championships, edging out Ivory Coast's Marie-Josee Ta Lou by one-hundredth of a second in a thrilling race.

Bowie's death has been met with an outpouring of grief from the athletics community. Many of her fellow athletes have taken to social media to pay tribute to the talented sprinter, with some describing her as a "true champion" and an inspiration to young athletes.

"Tori was a fierce competitor on the track, but off the track, she was one of the kindest and most genuine people you could ever meet," said Justin Gatlin, the American sprinter and Olympic gold medalist. "She will be deeply missed by all who knew her."

Bowie's legacy in the sport of athletics will be remembered for years to come. Her achievements on the track, combined with her humble and gracious personality off it, have left an indelible mark on the athletics world. She will be greatly missed.