Tori Bowie’s career came to an abrupt end several years before her tragic death.
The track and field star passed away yesterday at the age of just 32 and the athletics world mourns the shocking news. The American won an Olympic gold medal as part of the 4x100m relay team in 2016, and a year later claimed the individual 100m gold medal at the 2017 World Championships to officially become the world's fastest woman.
But following the successful period in her career, things came to a halt when she arrived at the Elite Athlete Training Center in California in January 2019 to train for the season ahead. She was denied entry to the building and told she would only be allowed entry if she settled an allegedly outstanding $6,000 payment.
During an interview with FloTrack at the time, Bowie denied she was in debt and revealed her belongings were shifted almost immediately.
“We didn’t even discuss money when I previously moved in,” she said. “I’m getting my things, and I closed the door to my room to get my things, and they were like, ‘Oh, yeah, leave the door open. We need to watch you.’
“Treating me like a criminal. They basically sat there and watched me pack my things up and made me leave the premises right away.”
The disappointed athlete tweeted at the time: “Soooo supposedly I cant train at the Olympic Training Center anymore because I haven’t paid $6000 that I didn’t even know I owed?”.
When Bowie initially moved to California in June 2018, her stay at the training centre was set to last just three months, but she revealed her coach later informed her she would be placed on another program which would extend her stay for a year.
But the former world champion believed the plans fell through and was not given a reason why. The sprinter was left frustrated over the handling of the situation.
“I haven’t really discussed this because I’m not sure how they even allowed me to get treated this way. So, I’m very disappointed,” Bowie said at the time. “I never speak up for myself. I usually just let things go and I bite my tongue, and I’m like, ‘OK, it will work out.’ I’m not even looking for any sympathy—I’m just, like, confused. I’m just trying to find out the situation right away."
Bowie last appeared in the long jump at the 2019 World Championships, where she finished fourth, but it marked the end of her career at the highest level and she did not even attempt to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics. It was a sad, sudden end to her time at the top, having been the fastest woman in the world just two years prior.
The track and field star’s cause of death has yet to be disclosed after she was found dead at her home in Florida. Tributes poured in as the United States Track and Field team tweeted: "USATF is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Tori Bowie, a three-time Olympic medalist and two-time world champion. Her impact on the sport is immeasurable, and she will be greatly missed."
Former on-track rival Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce said: “My heart breaks for the family of Tori Bowie. A great competitor and source of light. Your energy and smile will always be with me. Rest in peace,” while World Athletics said it was "deeply saddened" by the heartbreaking news.
