Letsile Tebogo smashed it right out of the ballpark with his stellar performances in the 2024 Paris Olympics and the Diamond League. The Botswanan gave the track and field community a show they would never forget. But while he put on a smile for the world, he was constantly dealing with a brooding storm inside him. Throughout all his highs this season, he made sure he found a way to include his mother, Seratiwa. 

The prodigy had always fostered a tight-knit relationship with her. In fact, she always made it a point to accompany her son to every meet he contested. Seratiwa even surprised the Motswana by attending the 2023 World Championships in Budapest without his knowledge. She boastfully talked about her son putting Africa on the map. However, Seratiwa tragically passed away in May after a brief period of illness. Understandably so, the 21-year-old struggled to come to terms with it.

Tebogo opened up about that difficult time to World Athletics. “The first few days or few weeks after my mum died were super-difficult for me.” Even though the sprinter made it a point to visit her whenever he could, he recounts how he couldn’t always be around. The Olympian wasn’t with her during her demise. He was on another continent, preparing for a meet. But upon being informed, he was heartbroken. “Because I thought it was the end of the world, the end of my career, the end of everything I have tried to accomplish,” the 21-year-old stated.

But through the grief, he found an iron-clad support system that he appreciates. “But then the people who were around me, my coach and my team, told me to take each day as it comes, one step at a time.” They helped him tackle it all one day at a time. Even the Botswana Athletic Association stood by him. They expressed their sympathy and extension of support from the president of the association, Moses Bantsi, on Instagram on May 20. “We are confident that his mother’s spirit will continue to motivate him as he strives for greater success in the future,” they stated. 

However, Letsile Tebogo confesses how there were days when nothing worked for him. But his team didn’t relent. “So they said, ‘Just come, show up, come watch us train; maybe you will be motivated as you see us doing the job. But don’t put yourself under pressure.’ So that’s how it was.” Even though it took some time, everything eventually fell into place. “I just said, no, as a runner, let us get away from this country and just come to Europe.” The Botswanan believed it would be better if he stepped away from where the tragedy took place. And that gamble worked for him in Paris! 

Letsile Tebogo took big strides in the City of Light

The sprinting phenomenon looked forward to contesting in the French capital. But things didn’t quite pan out in the 100m finals. The Botswanan’s 9.86 seconds put him in the sixth position on the table. But he then shifted his focus to the 200m. And what do you know? He stunned the crowds at Stade de France with his staggering 19.46 seconds, setting a new African record. With this, he became the first person from the nation to clinch a gold medal at an Olympics.

But the finals were special for another reason. Letsile Tebogo’s spikes bore Seratiwa’s date of birth, 23-12-1980. After the race, the 21-year-old held them to the camera for the world to see. He told reporters, “It’s basically me carrying her through every stride that I take.” The Olympian confessed that this motivated him. “I didn’t want to put the date of her death because I’ll get emotional.” But even though she wasn’t cheering him on from the stands, she was right there with the sprinter. 

Letsile Tebogo shared a heartfelt note earlier this month on his Instagram story for his mother. “The day I lost you, I also lost you.” She played a pivotal role in nurturing the Motswana’s raw talent, and the sprinter continues to remind the world of that. “Not having you here is so painful. I’m just not me anymore,” he concluded. The sprinter has been through a whirlwind since her passing, but his support system helped him rise like a phoenix from the ashes.