25 Jun USA Track & Field Foundation Stephen Schwarzman Grantee, Tori Bowie, shows great determination with three consecutive Diamond League victories
INDIANAPOLIS – USA Track & Field Foundation grantee Tori Bowie is taking the 2014 track & field season by storm, proving that with hard work, dedication, and focus comes amazing results. Tori Bowie was chosen by the USA Track & Field Foundation as a 2014 Stephen Schwarzman grantee in February of this year.
The Stephen Schwarzman Grant Fund was established in 2013 when Schwarzman realized most Olympic hopefuls do not have the financial support they need to reach their full potential. This fund supports athletes that are recognized for their success on an international level and for having an excellent opportunity to be in medal contention in the Rio Summer Games in 2016.
“I would love to thank Stephen Schwarzman for the grant because it allowed me to jump start my season without having to worry about travel expenses. The grant honestly gave me an opportunity to live comfortably and focus on my training and performances only. You are greatly appreciated Stephen Schwarzman,” proclaimed Tori Bowie.
Primarily Bowie has competed in long jump over the years with a personal record of 6.95 m (22 ft 9.5 in). Bowie went to the University of Southern Mississippi where she holds the school record for the long jump. More recently she was runner up in the long jump at the USA Indoor Track and Field Championships.
Though her talents in the long jump are inevitable in the past few weeks she has shocked the field with her remarkable performances in the sprints. Pictured here is Bowie gliding with ease down the track, around the corner in lane one at the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, Oregon. She was meant to be the alternate for the race at Prefontaine and found out only two days before the race that she would be filling lane one. This race was her second 200m in competition, but she still appeared strong and confident. Tori Bowie’s race at Prefontaine became her personal best and a world-leading time of 22.18 seconds.
Bowie’s streak continued the following week in the women’s 100 meter in Rome, Italy at the Rome Golden Gala where she took first place with a personal best time of 11.05. Then to continue her deserved success she also took first place at the Adidas Grand Prix in New York in the BMW Women’s 100m with a time of 11.07. Seeing this kind of a breakthrough season is what the USATF Foundation can only hope for all their grantees.