Tori Bowie, the Olympic gold medalist, left a moving mark on the world of track and field, and her tragic story is now coming to light following her untimely death. The autopsy report revealed an overlooked detail under “Medical History:” Bipolar disorder.
While anticipation builds for the world championships in Hungary, Bowie’s absence weighs heavily on the track community.
Her challenges appeared not only during her training but also in her Florida neighborhood, where authorities discovered her body. The 32-year-old, eight months pregnant at the time, had succumbed to complications of childbirth.
Al Joyner, her former coach, stated, “It’s not that she slipped through the cracks. I think people didn’t take it seriously enough.”
While resources were available to Bowie through the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee and USA Track and Field, she did not seek their assistance leading up to her death.
Officials believe her mental health influenced her handling of a difficult pregnancy. Bowie was just 96 pounds, even while eight months pregnant.
The Associated Press conducted interviews with Joyner and other people connected to Bowie; officials disclosed that she navigated her challenging pregnancy with minimal support from friends, family, or medical professionals.
Neighbors highlighted her struggles, as they witnessed Bowie struggling with homelessness. A concerned acquaintance contacted the U.S. Olympic committee but Bowie’s agent dismissed the concerns.
Until the last few years, the stigma attached to mental illness was so great that virtually no athlete would dare bring it up in public. Gymnast Simone Biles and sprinter Noah Lyles were among those in the Olympic space who helped change that dynamic. Their openness about their struggles at the Tokyo Games helped shift the conversation.
Despite the occasional post on social media discussing the sacrifices pro athletes have to make, Bowie was never much part of that conversation.
Why You Should Know
Tori Bowie’s journey from a foster home to becoming an Olympic champion was extraordinary. Excelling in both speed and jumping, she secured medals at the Rio Games and world championships. Despite her achievements, her internal battles were immense.
Bowie’s tragic death serves as a reminder of the urgency of mental health awareness and support within athletics.