On 2nd May 2023, America lost one of its champions due to a tragic death while she was 8 months pregnant. Tori Bowie was a 32-year-old sprinter primarily competed in the long jump, 100m and 200m. In the 2016 Olympics, Tori achieved remarkable success, securing a gold medal in the 4x100-metre relay, a silver medal in 100 metres, and a bronze medal in the 200 meters.
Undoubtedly pregnancy is something that a woman is blessed with. It is one memorable phase where woman not only is privileged enough to create life but also faces physical, emotional and mental discomforts. However, for Tori Bowie this golden phase took quite a tragic turn and she passed away on 2nd May 2023. The autopsy report later revealed that she was suffering from eclampsia.
Eclampsia is a medical condition where in high blood pressure can result in seizures at the time of pregnancy. Eclampsia comes from the Greek word for lightning, as it can strike as quickly as lightning. The symptoms are high blood pressure, headaches, visual changes, liver pain, and sudden increase in swelling or vomiting. This condition is much more common in black women, if you are overweight, or if you have underlying health conditions. But it can develop in anyone, including someone who’s thin and super healthy.
Eclampsia is quite rare it may occur in about 1% of pregnancies compared to the 3% to 5% risk of preeclampsia and hypertensive disease. There is cure if it is identified and the patient is brought to the hospital on time. However, in Tori’s case she probably suffered from an eclamptic seizure and didn’t recover from it. The only problem was that she wasn’t in the hospital at the time of the seizure or she might have been saved.
Who was Tori Bowie?
Tori Bowie in her sports career won three gold medals for America. Tori Bowie's first gold medal for the USA came in 4x100m relay team during the 2016 Rio Olympics. In 2017, Tori Bowie even more successful as she won relay gold at the World Athletics Championships in London and won individual gold in the 100m, beating Ivory Coast’s Marie-Josée Ta Lou in a photo finish. Furthermore, the 32-year-old athlete won two other Olympics medals- a silver and bronze in the 100m and 200m respectively in Rio in 2016. Talking about her early life, Tori Bowie was born and raised in Mississippi, USA. Interestingly, she played basketball as a girl before her talent on the track became apparent. Not only this, but Tori Bowie also won state titles in the 100m, 200m, and long jump.