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It has been more than a week since the cause of Tori Bowie’s death was revealed to the world. It created a stir in the discussion regarding neglect toward new mothers in a certain section of the community, and the debate is being spearheaded by her former teammate Allyson Felix. The 7-time Olympic gold medalist is still seeking a solution for new mothers and support from the male athletics fraternity for her fight for better healthcare. She also revealed her wish to have another child once, but given the circumstances, she is scared of the healthcare system.
Tori Bowie, Allyson Felix, English Gardner, and Tianna Bartoletta, were the gold medal winners in 4×100 meters relay race at the Rio Olympics 2016. 3 out of the 4 have faced horrible pregnancy complications. While Bowie succumbed to her struggles, Felix and Bartoletta once nearly died. Years later, Felix, standing alongside her other African-American kinship, wants to feel the joy of pregnancy, not fear.
Allyson Felix raises concerns days after Tori Bowie’s unfortunate demise
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Days after Tori Bowie’s demise, Felix appeared in an interview with Time magazine, where she shared every nook and cranny about her fears of embracing the motherhood again. She stated “I would love to have another child. That’s something that I know for sure. But will I be here to raise that child?” Felix is the mother of Camryn, a 4-year-old girl who also suffered health risks at birth. More so, the track and field star’s daughter spent the first month of her life in the ICU.
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TOKYO, JAPAN – AUGUST 04: Allyson Felix of Team United States competes in the Women’s 400m Semi-Final on day twelve of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium on August 04, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
Raising her concerns regarding the healthcare system, she continued, “That’s a very real concern. And that’s a terrifying thing. This is America, in 2023, and Black women are dying while giving birth. It’s absurd”.
Calling out the injustice and unfair nature of treatment she further added, “We’re dealing with a black maternal health crisis”.
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The skewed statistics that form the basis of Felix’s argument
No sooner than the autopsy reports of Bowie’s death came to the forefront, Felix paid her tribute to her late friend and colleague while also highlighting this consistent issue via her Twitter account. One of the reasons that were stated to have accelerated Bowie’s complications was pre-eclampsia, something that Felix and Bartoletta suffered themselves. As per several surveys, the ratio of this rare condition is significantly higher in African American women. It causes high blood pressure that further affects childbirth possibilities.
![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/Provas_de_Atletismo_nas_Olimpiadas_Rio_2016_29004556542.jpg?width=150&blur=15)
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Rio de Janeiro – Corredoras dos Estados Unidos Tianna Bartoletta, Allyson Felix, English Gardner e Tori Bowie vencem final do revezamento 4 x 100m nos Jogos Rio 2016, no Estádio Olímpico (Fernando Frazão/Agência Brasil)
While the news surrounding Bowie’s death and the reason behind it get denser, Felix and her peers keep raising their voices for justice and for immediate action. Whether a reply or response from the other side is on the horizon is something that is yet to be known. However, Felix’s wish to be a mother again is something that most people, male or female, might embrace with warmth. And to that end, changes could be made.
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