Ever wondered what star athletes do once the Olympic spotlight dims? Do they dive into lavish parties, pop champagne, or jump straight back into intense training? Simone Biles, for one, didn’t waste any time celebrating her Paris triumphs. Just days after her stunning performances, she was tearing up the dance floor at the legendary l’Arc club, grooving to Waka Flocka Flame’s “Grove St. Party” with her sister Adria, soaking in every moment of her well-earned victory.

But while some athletes like Biles bask in the afterglow of their Olympic success, others retreat to quieter pastures—literally. Take Letsile Tebogo, for instance. After his electrifying 200m gold, where he toppled Noah Lyles, you might think he’d be caught up in a whirlwind of celebrations. Instead, the 21-year-old Olympic gold medalist from Botswana was recently spotted unwinding on a farm, far from the bustling crowds and bright lights. What draws a champion back to the fields and livestock, away from the roar of the crowds? Let’s dive into the story behind Tebogo’s peaceful retreat!

Letsile Tebogo’s solid investment for life beyond athletics

Letsile Tebogo made history when he surged past the finish line, winning the 200m finals at the recently concluded Paris Olympics. Clocking 19.46 seconds, he became the first African to win the 200-meter title. His country, Botswana, went into celebration mode, with 30,000 people flocking to welcome its Olympic hero. However, Tebogo was quick to leave the spotlight and retreat to a more humble setting. When X user Thomas Mlambo went to meet the Botswana sprinter, he found him returning from his farm. He jokingly asked about his dress, which was starkly different from the usual skin-tight sporting attire sprinters usually wear during races. Tebogo was quick with the response, “Just from the farm this morning. I just spent the night over their so I just from the farm and then I had to pull out you know, to meet a people like you,” he said.

Another question from Mlambo concerning his farm visit got home another candid response from the sprinting legend. “Basically around the farm we do we keep a we keep a mostly I have cattles. So I need to have a solid plan to what I am going to do to increase the number of cattles.” But why all the efforts? Apparently, Letsile Tebogo revealed it to be an investment for life beyond athletics. “Personally, I think, I’ll go with the investment for me because athletic is not alone so I need to have different opportunities to see what could channel our money into” was his exact response. Letsile Tebogo is now basking in the glory of his Olympic success and inked an endorsement deal with the prestigious wristwatch brand TAG Heuer last year. However, he has to brave unprecedented challenges to reach the summit of success he enjoys today.

From poverty to the podium, Letsile Tebogo overcame herculean challenges for Success

Growing up, Letsile Tebogo has to grapple with extreme poverty. In an interview with NBC Sports in March, Tebogo revealed, “I used to train without shoes. Shoes were more expensive and we couldn’t afford that because we lived with our extended family so it was difficult for us to get things.” The African record holder in 100m and 200m could only afford his first quality pair of shoes in 2020 when he broke the national record. Besides, the African sprinting prodigy has to grapple with the lack of support to bring his career on the right track. In a Mmegi article published in September last year, Tebogo urged for better support for athletes. Expressing his thoughts, Tebogo said, “Even during our downfalls, we should be supported. Athletics is difficult and some of the athletes are depressed.” However, despite all odds, Tebogo reached the height of success that many can only dream of. That said, his simple lifestyle is a stark reminder of his deep-rooted connections to his humble beginnings.