The report cards are out for the year and it’s Letsile Tebogo and Julien Alfred who have been adjudged as the most studious! Well, we are talking about the track and field report card of 2024 by ANOC. The event was initially held in 2014 and has been a tradition every year. Analyzing the performances of the athletes in the events held all year round, the ANOC jury gives their verdict on who the best of them all was. This year being the year of the Olympics, the track and field realm saw a significant amount of action with a number of athletes making a strong case for themselves.

For example, the Paris Olympics men’s 100m category saw one of the fastest races in Olympic history. While Noah Lyles reigned supreme via a photo finish, he soon faced some fierce competition. Competing in the 200m category, Lyles lagged significantly behind as Letsite Tebogo took the gold. And this seemed to be the deciding moment in Tebogo’s career to win a major accolade. With the ANOC Awards list out, the best male and the female athlete awards were scooped up by Letsite Tebogo and Julien Alfred.

Without a doubt, both the star performers had a memorable year. Putting up a spectacular show in Paris, Tebogo became the first Botswana sprinter to clinch an Olympic gold medal. He beat the likes of Noah Lyles to take home the prestigious medal. However, that was not all. Tebogo also went on to win the silver for his team in the 4x400m relay at the French capital. 

Now, that must have been enough accolades for a year. But Tebogo kept pushing himself towards the pinnacle of track and field glory. He took part in the subsequent Diamond Leagues post the Olympics. Unsurprisingly, the Botswana sprinter was able to maintain his electric form. He won several more medals in the 100m and the 200m category to seal his fate as the best athlete of the year.

The award was celebrated all over Botswana. Coming on the occasion of a peaceful election day in his country, it perfectly aligned with how men of power are usually humble in their triumph. Overwhelmed by his latest accomplishments, Tebogo seemed significantly grateful to have received the prestigious honor. The Olympic gold medalist, in a conversation with Olympics.com, said, “It means a lot to me to be recognised by ANOC, it motivates me to keep on pushing.”

Sharing the exciting news, ‘The Meating Block’ on X wrote, “Great Men are found among Men of will & strength. Letsile Tebogo is one such Man & his will has yielded yet another great achievement. Paris 2024 Best Male Athlete award. Well worth a miss on the voting as Botswana went through yet another peaceful Election Day of voting in the next set of leaders. Well done Rre. Tebogo.”

Now, coming to the other winner, Julien Alfred too, had somewhat of an identical season like Tebogo. Competing in the women’s 100m finals in Paris, she was up against the hot favorite Sha’Carri Richardson. However, in a major upset, Alfred beat the American quite significantly to clinch the gold medal in the category. 

Alfred created history by becoming the first athlete from Saint Lucia to achieve such a feat. She also took home a silver medal in the 200m to conclude one of her best Olympic outings. And just like Tebogo, Alfred too, kept competing in the Diamond Leagues after the Olympics were over. And at the end of the day, it seems like their consistency made all the difference. 

Track legends think Letsile Tebogo had an upper hand on Noah Lyles

Speaking on the Noah Lyles- Letsile Tebogo topic, track legends Rodney Green and Justin Gatlin recently dissected the rivalry. In an episode of the ‘Ready Set Go’ podcast, Green opined that Tebogo’s versatility made the difference. His ability to adapt to different conditions and yet put on a top-level performance was what caught Lyles off guard in Paris. Agreeing to the same, Gatlin nodded, “Too much speed endurance.”

The duo further stated that prior to Paris, Tebogo maintained a sub-19 timing in all of his 200m runs. Unfortunately, for Lyles, he had only one 200m victory under his belt in which he clocked 19.77s. Analyzing Tebogo’s run, Green said, “Yeah, that last 50 meters, how that boy closed. He’s ran on a consistent level under 19.4, 19.5.” 

Gatlin too, spoke on the same line previously saying, “He [Letsile Tebogo] has a reservoir of talent and the fact is his issue is going to be which one is he going to pick, which one is he going to focus on cuz [because] he’s that true hybrid athlete that he can do a little bit of everything and he could do it very well.” Thus, reigning at the helm of track and field at the moment, Letsile Tebogo will surely be an icon in the days to come.