Athletics world says goodbye to Tori Bowie, amid words of pain and impact

The news was given by the agency that was managing her career. And in a matter of hours it was covered all over the planet. “We are devastated to share the very sad news that Tori Bowie has passed away. We have lost a client, dear friend, daughter and sister. Tori was a champion... a beacon of light that shone so brightly! We are truly heartbroken and our prayers go out to family and friends,” said the announcement, in which the causes of her death were not specified.

World Athletics published a beautiful illustration accompanied by a text, in which it confesses its deep sadness. USA Track and Field also spoke out and acknowledged that they are “deeply saddened” by the news: “Their legacy in sports is immeasurable,” they added on Twitter.

Too young Tori Bowie left. Her passage through this world was swift, as she was as an athlete. Their rivals can’t understand what happened, although some gave clues. Jamaican legend Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, winner of eight Olympic medals, including a bronze in the Rio 2016 100 meter final in which Bowie finished second, was among those who paid tribute to her: “My heart breaks for Tori Bowie’s family,” Fraser-Pryce wrote on Twitter and added: “Your energy and your smile will always be with me.”

Another of her Jamaican rivals, Elaine Thompson, was one of those who gave an indication of how Bowie spent her last days: “A lot of times people are going through ‘garbage’ moments and we don’t realize it,” she posted in an Instagram story. Some versions indicate that she was experiencing mental health problems.

Born on August 27, 1990 in Jackson, Mississippi, her sports career began as a basketball star at the University of Southern Mississippi, where she stood out for her speed and athletic ability. Her talent for sports did not go unnoticed.

After graduating, Bowie focused on athletics and began competing in speed and long jumps. In 2012, she made her debut at the London Olympics. She reached the semifinals in the 100 meters and was eliminated there, but that stadium had saved her a very special moment for a few years later.

In 2013, Bowie won her first national title at the United States Championship, in the 200-meter race.

In 2015, her first world medal arrived: she won bronze at the Beijing World Championships in the 100 meters and, in addition, she was runner-up with her relay teammates in the 4x100 meters.

Their Olympic Games were those in Rio. On the Rio de Janeiro field at the Nilton Santos stadium in 2016, Bowie won the silver medal in the 100 meters, with a time of 10:83 and behind the Jamaican Elaine Thompson.

She also became Olympic champion in the 4x100 relay.

In the 2017 season, Bowie continued her success at the World Athletics Championships in London, on the same track as her Olympic debut in 2012. This time she arrived as a candidate and won the world titles in the 100 meters and the relay, and won a silver medal in the 200 meters.

Bowie also competed in long jump, where she was fourth in the final of her last major event, the 2019 World Championship in Doha.

Despite some injuries late in her career, Bowie was a formidable competitor in the world of athletics. Her speed and athletic ability made her one of the best runners of her generation and a role model for young athletes around the world.