Tori Bowie, the three-time Olympic medalist and former world champion sprinter, died at the age of 32 from complications of childbirth, according to an autopsy report. The report also revealed that Bowie was eight months pregnant when she passed away. But did the COVID-19 vaccine play any role in her tragic death?
The Autopsy Report
The Orange County Medical Examiner’s Office in Florida released the autopsy report on Bowie, who was found dead in her bed on May 2, 2023. The report stated that Bowie died from natural causes, and that there were possible complications, such as respiratory distress and eclampsia. Eclampsia is a condition that causes seizures due to high blood pressure during pregnancy. The report also noted that Bowie’s body and organs were in normal condition, and that the toxicology test came back negative.
The autopsy report did not mention anything about Bowie’s vaccination status or whether she had contracted COVID-19 at any point. However, some media outlets and social media users speculated that the vaccine might have contributed to her death, citing the lack of information and the timing of her death.
The Vaccine Speculation
Bowie’s death occurred around the same time that the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended that pregnant women should get vaccinated against COVID-19, as they are at higher risk of severe illness and death from the virus. According to the CDC, more than 100,000 pregnant women in the U.S. have received a COVID-19 vaccine, and no safety concerns have been identified.
However, some anti-vaccine activists and conspiracy theorists have claimed that the vaccine is unsafe for pregnant women and their unborn babies, and that it could cause miscarriages, birth defects, or even death. They have also spread misinformation and fearmongering about the vaccine’s ingredients, side effects, and long-term consequences.
Some of these claims have been debunked by fact-checkers and health experts, who have stated that there is no evidence that the vaccine causes any harm to pregnant women or their babies. They have also explained that the vaccine’s ingredients are safe and effective, and that the vaccine’s benefits outweigh its risks.
The Truth About Tori Bowie’s Death
There is no proof that Tori Bowie’s death was caused by the COVID-19 vaccine or any related complications. Her death was a tragic result of natural causes and pregnancy-related issues, which are more common among Black women in the U.S. According to NPR, Black women are 2.6 times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women, due to factors such as racism, discrimination, lack of access to quality health care, and chronic stress.
Bowie’s death also highlights the challenges that female athletes face when they decide to become mothers, especially in a sport like track and field that requires peak physical performance and intense training. Bowie’s former teammate Allyson Felix, who is also a mother and an Olympic champion, has advocated for more support and protection for pregnant athletes, who often face discrimination and pressure from sponsors and coaches.
Bowie was one of the fastest women in the world, who won gold medals in the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro and the 2017 World Championships in London. She was also a role model and an inspiration for many young girls and women who aspire to pursue their dreams in sports. Her death is a huge loss for the track and field community and the world at large. She will be remembered for her achievements, her spirit, and her legacy.
