American Olympic sprinter Tori Bowie has died in a car accident in Mississippi at the age of 31. Bowie was a three-time Olympic medalist in the long jump and the 4×100-meter relay at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro games. The accident happened in the early hours of Monday morning, according to her management company Icon Management.

A Champions Journey

Bowie was taken in by her grandmother as an infant after she was left at a foster home. She considered herself a basketball player and only reluctantly showed up for track. However, Bowie was a fast learner, becoming a state champion in the 100, 200, and long jump before going to college. Her first major international medal was a 100-meter bronze at worlds in 2015.

Tributes pour in for Bowie

Many fellow athletes and fans have paid tribute to Bowie, including Brittney Reese, a fellow Olympic medalist in the long jump, who wrote: Im so heartbroken over this You have made a lot of us proud thank you for representing our state of Mississippi like you did RIP! Bowies management company, Icon Management, also released a statement saying: Weve lost a client, dear friend, daughter and sister. Tori was a championa beacon of light that shined so bright! Were truly heartbroken and our prayers are with the family and friends.

A Life of Overcoming Obstacles

Bowies journey to becoming an Olympic medalist was one of overcoming obstacles. After a disappointing performance in the 2012 Olympic trials, Bowie gave up running altogether and started working in a furniture factory. However, after encouragement from her grandmother, she returned to the sport and made a comeback that led her to become a world champion and Olympic medalist.

A Tragic Loss

The sudden loss of Bowie has shocked the sports world and her fans. Bowie was known for her speed, grace, and humility on and off the track. She was a role model for many young athletes and will be deeply missed.

Icon Management has asked for privacy for Bowies family during this difficult time.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Who is Tori Bowie?

  Tori Bowie was an American track and field athlete who specialized in sprinting and the long jump. She won three medals in the Olympic Games, including a gold medal in the women’s 4×100-meter relay at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

• What were Tori Bowie’s major accomplishments in track and field?

  Tori Bowie won numerous medals and set several records during her track and field career. She was a three-time Olympic medalist, winning a gold medal in the 4×100-meter relay at the 2016 Summer Olympics and silver medals in the women’s 100-meter dash and the women’s 200-meter dash at the 2016 Olympics. She also won a silver medal in the women’s 100-meter dash at the 2017 World Championships and a bronze medal in the women’s 4×100-meter relay at the 2015 World Championships.

• Who was Tori Bowie’s grandmother and how did she influence her?

  Tori Bowie’s grandmother was the person who raised her from infancy after she was left at a foster home. Bowie credited her grandmother with instilling in her the belief that she could achieve anything she set her mind to. Bowie once said of her grandmother, “my entire life my grandmother told me I could do whatever I set my mind to.”

• What was Tori Bowie’s background before she became a track and field athlete?

  Before she became a track and field athlete, Tori Bowie considered herself a basketball player. She only reluctantly showed up for track, but she was a fast learner and became a state champion in the 100-meter dash, 200-meter dash, and long jump before going to college.