2 min readOn May 3, the track world mourned the news of the U.S. Olympian sprinter Tori Bowie’s death. The 32-year-old former 100-meter world champion and three-time Olympic medalist was found dead in her Florida home after she was not seen or heard from for several days and authorities were asked to perform a welfare check.
According to an autopsy report from the Orange County (Florida) Medical Examiner’s Office newly obtained by multiple outlets, it is estimated that Bowie was eight months pregnant and in active labor at the time of her death.
Citing the autopsy, USA Today Sports reported that medical officials cite possible complications Bowie had included respiratory distress and eclampsia—a condition where high blood pressure results in seizures during pregnancy. Her agent, Kimberly Holland, told CBS News that all the speculation about Bowie’s death has been “very hurtful.” "So hopefully, now knowing the truth, there will be many apologies," said Holland.
Bowie was on Team USA’s gold-medal winning 4x100-meter relay team at the 2016 Rio Olympics, where she also earned a silver medal in the 100 meters and bronze in the 200 meters. She took home the gold in the 100 meters at the 2017 World Championships. She was the only American woman to have won an Olympic or world 100 meter title since Carmelita Jeter in 2011.
Also a talented long jumper, as an athlete at the University of Southern Mississippi, Bowie won NCAA championships in the event for indoor and outdoor track, and placed fourth at the 2019 World Championships.
Abby Carney is a writer and journalist in New York. A former D1 college runner and current amateur track athlete, she's written about culture and characters in running and outdoor sports for Runner's World, Like the Wind Magazine, The New York Times, and other outlets. She also writes about things that have nothing to do with running, and was previously the editor of a food magazine.
