Olympic superstar and former 100m world champion Tori Bowie dies, aged 32

‘Tori was a champion… a beacon of light that shined so bright’

US track star Tori Bowie has died aged 32, writes Steve Hopkins. Representatives for the three-time Olympic medalist confirmed her passing in a statement on social media shortly before 1pm Wednesday. The statement read:

"We’re devastated 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."

Bowie competed in long jump, 100m and 200m. She was part of the US relay team which won gold in the 4x100m at the Rio 2016 Olympic games, also winning silver in the 100m and bronze in the 200m in Brazil. She was a Women's 100m world champion in 2017. https://twitter.com/LylesNoah/status/1653733598728445958 https://twitter.com/Athletics_Cntrl/status/1653738191919128577 https://twitter.com/Track_Gazette/status/1653733814445670401

Noah Lyles on passing of Tori Bowie

Tori Bowie also won two gold medals at the 2017 World Athletic Championships held in London, again triumphing in the relay as well as winning individual 100m gold. Responding to Icon Management’s post, US athletics star Noah Lyles expressed his disbelief:

“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.”

Former Great Britain Olympic track and field athlete Jade Johnson wrote on Twitter: “I’m completely IN SHOCK right now! "Tori Bowie, one of the most talented athletes in the world, has passed away at the age of only 32 years old!”I know that people die…BUT this just doesn’t feel right!?! She was SO young with SO much ahead of her?! Heartbreaking!” https://twitter.com/JadeLJohnson7/status/1653741944365801472 Related links.

• 'Gutted' Darragh McElhinney runs a blinder but narrowly misses out on medals in Euro indoors
• Jack Grealish praises Stephen Ireland in new documentary about ex-Man City midfielder
• "Nobody could touch him that day" - When Roy Keane reigned in Spain
• 'It hurt me for years' - Stephen Hunt on the lowest point of his Ireland career

---