As if being the first-ever African athlete to win the men’s 200m Olympic gold wasn’t enough for Letsile Tebogo. In the post-race interview, the Botswanan sprinter just made a comment that could land him in hot soup.

In a YouTube video uploaded by Citius Mag just a while ago, Tebogo took a sly dig at the USA’s celebrity runner Noah Lyles that no one saw coming. When the newly crowned Olympic gold medalist asked if he could be the new face of track and field, Tebogo candidly answered, “I think for me, I can’t be the face of athletics because I’m not an arrogant or a loud person like Noah,” claiming that this title should best be left to the Florida native. While Tebogo’s elation isn’t misplaced, not everyone imagined he would take a potshot at the reigning men’s 200m world champ so soon after defeating Lyles.

However, it couldn’t be said with conviction that Letsile’s motive was to sneer at his American colleague. He instead made the statement in a very calm manner, which would actually indicate that it was all very matter-of-fact for the 21-year-old. Along with his latest rabid comment, Tebogo also revealed the name of the man who has helped him train and bag the coveted honor on the grandest stage of them all.

“ His (my coach) name is Kebony Mudisados Musimanyane,” said the sprinter. However, considering the steep challenges Tebogo had to overcome to get here, he probably could be given a pass.

Letsile Tebogo never let adversities bog him down

Just two months before the Paris Olympics, Letsile lost his mother Seratiwa, who he claims was his biggest fan and cheerleader. To cope with the grief, the runner took a break from training for a month. “She could be one of the happiest people,” said Letsile in the interview, and the sadness could almost be felt in his eyes. His mother was present in the stands at the 2023 World Championships, where she snuck in without her son knowing. To make sure his mom was also there to see him bring the ultimate prize home, Tebogo ran with Seratiwa’s birth date on his shows and was seen pointing toward it on cameras after leaving Bednarek and Lyles in the dust.

Growing up, soccer was the sport that would keep his mind busy. But with poverty rampant in their lives, Tebogo had to take up athletics as an easy way to put food on the table. And yet, despite all his hardships, the Botswanan star managed to run a personal best of 19.46 in the City of Love, to not only win an Olympic medal but also set new national and African records as well. Do you believe that Tebogo has pulled something truly inspirational out of the bag that could potentially go down in history? Tell us more below!