The track and field world isn’t always forgiving. Especially when greatness is expected every time an athlete steps on the track. Letsile Tebogo, Botswana’s sprinting prodigy, found himself at the center of that storm after a tough showing in the ASA Grand Prix’s 400m event in Pretoria. Known for his electric speed in the 100m and 200m, fans anticipated another dominant performance. Instead, it was Bayapo Ndori at 44.59 who stole the spotlight, crossing the line ahead of Tebogo, who finished at 45.42. This event raised more questions than it answered, much to the sprinting sensation from Botswana.

And just like that, whispers turned into criticism. Had Tebogo peaked too early? Was he struggling with the pressure of being Botswana’s first Olympic gold medalist? Enter Rodney Green and Justin Gatlin, two former U.S. sprint stars who aren’t afraid to set the record straight. On their podcast “Ready Set Go,” Green acknowledged the murmurs, pointing out that Letsile had a slow start comparatively, especially in a year loaded with Olympic expectations. But Gatlin wasn’t having the negativity. With calm assurance, he pushed back on the criticism.

Letsile Tebogo might be one of the fastest men on Earth, but even a sprint king has to learn when to adapt. At just 20, the Botswanan phenom is still finding his footing in the 400m, and Rodney Green sees it. “He’s progressively coming down and maintaining a solidified time. It’s definitely not like last year,” Green noted in the podcast on YouTube. While last year saw Tebogo open fast and then fade, this season tells a different story. One of patience, adjustments, and maybe even growing pains. Though he’s not blowing past the field like fans are used to, his form is improving with every race, closing in on world leader Bayapo Ndori with smarter execution and tighter finishes.

Justin Gatlin, never one to sugarcoat, offered some crucial perspective. “They’re young athletes, and they’re going to comprise a young team. So they’re going to take a couple of their L’s and a couple of their losses along the way.” It’s a timely reminder. Dominance isn’t built in a day. The 400m is a beast of a race, and he’s learning how to tame it, one lap at a time.

At the Maurie Plant Meet in March, all eyes were on Tebogo. Fresh off a 43.4 relay split and a string of sprint showdowns, fans expected fireworks in the 400. But Ndori, his training partner and a seasoned 4x400m Olympic bronze medalist, had other plans. With effortless strength and confidence, Ndori took control, leaving Tebogo in second at 45.26s. But here’s the twist: that race wasn’t a defeat. It was a wake-up call. The lesson? Experience matters. And if Tebogo keeps building like this, refining his strategy and endurance with each race, it’s only a matter of time before the apprentice becomes the master.

From national hero to heavy scrutiny Letsile Tebogo’s rocky 400m

Letsile Tebogo has long been the face of Botswana’s sprinting dreams, and for good reason. At the 2024 Paris Olympics, he exploded to a historic 19.46 in the 200 meters, not only setting an African record but also delivering Botswana’s first-ever Olympic gold medal. The impact? Monumental. The country responded with a full-blown celebration, declaring August 9 a national holiday and gifting Tebogo two houses as a tribute to their golden boy.

And that gold wasn’t a one-off. Tebogo has made a habit of defying limits. Whether it’s clocking 9.86 in the 100m or posting an earth-shattering 30.69 in the 300m. The fastest time ever recorded. He’s rewritten what’s possible for sprinters from emerging nations. That dominance earned him the 2024 World Athletics Male Athlete of the Year honor, and rightfully so. With every stride, he’s built more than a resume. He’s built a legacy, matching and even outpacing legends like Noah Lyles.

But even icons stumble. With the 2025 season looming, Tebogo decided to stretch his range and test himself in the 400m at the Maurie Plant Meet in Melbourne. It was a bold step, and he knew it. “I will be stepping up to the challenge of the 400m. Starting the season with this long-distance challenge will set the stage for what’s ahead.” The stage was set, but the result fell flat. In a sport where fans expect fireworks every outing, Tebogo’s underwhelming debut triggered a wave of doubt. Still, as Justin Gatlin reminds us, even the greatest champions take their lumps before rising again.