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Team USA Olympic gold medalist Tori Bowie's cause of death reveals she died during childbirth
Featured Image Credit: Paul Davey / Alamy Stock Photo. Mariano Garcia / Alamy Stock Photo

Team USA Olympic gold medalist Tori Bowie's cause of death reveals she died during childbirth

She was just 32 years old when she tragically died.

An autopsy report has finally shined a light on what caused the death of Team USA Olympic gold medalist Tori Bowie.

The athlete's death sent shockwaves around the world in May after it was confirmed she died at just 32 years old.

"We’re devastated to share the very sad news that Tori Bowie has passed away," read a statement from her management company, Icon Management.

"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."

The Orange County Medical Examiner Office has revealed she was eight months pregnant and was in labor at the time of her death, according to USA Today.

PA Images / Alamy Stock Photo

The medical examiner has listed her death as natural and it's possible she died from 'respiratory distress and eclampsia'.

Eclampsia is a rare and serious condition that can result in seizures during pregnancy due to an onset of sudden high blood pressure.

It only affects around 3 per cent of people who suffer from preeclampsia.

Following the publishing of the medical examiner's report, BET said Black women were at a higher risk of eclampsia.

It wrote: "We are deeply saddened to learn the cause of death of Olympic medalist and world champion sprinter, Tori Bowie.

"Black women die at exceedingly higher rates due to pregnancy-related complications.

"We face a much higher risk of maternal death due to various reasons including chronic stress and implicit bias from health care providers.

"There is so much work to be done to properly protect and advocate for Black women's health.We send continued love and condolences to Tori Bowie's family."

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Tori, who was raised by her grandmother in Mississippi, competed in the long jump, the 100m, and the 200m, and was a three-time Olympic medalist.

While competing in Team USA's relay team at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, Brazil, Tori and her team won the gold.

That same year, she won silver in the 100m and bronze in the 200m.

Tori went on to win a gold medal the following year at the World Athletic Championships in London, both in the relay and in the 100m.

Before she started picking up gold medals all over the world, Tori attended University of South Mississippi on an athletic scholarship for track and field.

During her time there, Tori earned two long jump gold medals and the NCAA Women's Indoor Track and Field Championship.

Topics: Olympics, Sport