As they say, ‘success speaks for itself,’ but sometimes the spotlight just doesn’t land where it should. Let’s be real, Letsile Tebogo has had a year that’s been nothing short of a rollercoaster ride of triumphs. From claiming that golden 200m victory at the Paris Olympics to being recognized at the ANOC Awards in Portugal as one of the top athletes of Paris 2024, he’s been on fire! Now, he’s gearing up for the World Athletics Awards 2024, where he’s a finalist, and everyone’s waiting on pins and needles for the results on December 1st. This kid’s not just running the race—he’s winning it!

But here’s the thing: despite all the medals and recognition, it feels like Tebogo’s moment in the limelight is being dimmed by the Netflix docuseries SPRINT. The show, which gives fans a peek behind the curtain of the world’s top athletes, has been getting mixed reviews. While it highlights stars like Noah Lyles and Gabby Thomas, it’s drawing fire for leaving out some of the sport’s brightest stars. Tebogo, who was already a world silver medalist and a bronze medalist before his Olympic gold, barely gets a mention.

In fact, Season 1 doesn’t feature him at all, and in Season 2, it takes 22 minutes before he even makes an appearance, with very little time spent on him. He’s more of a background character, while the Americans, especially Lyles, are the main event. Tebogo, understandably, wasn’t too pleased after catching the latest season.

Letsile posted on social media, “This is an American show,” calling it like he sees it. His comments are sparking plenty of chatter, especially among African fans who feel their top athletes are being pushed to the back burner. With all he’s accomplished, it’s hard not to feel like he’s been handed the short end of the stick. Fans are speaking up, and it’s clear they’re not happy that such a big talent isn’t getting the recognition he deserves.

Letsile Tebogo leads Africa’s sprinting revolution—and the world better take notice!

One fan shared their frustration, saying, “Yes Americans Are Always Having This Mentality Of feeling Like it Always About Them Even When Their Athlete Performance Is Poor In A Season, Watching Shelly Elaine Getting Snubb From this big Netflix Documentary Pierced My Heart 😢”. And honestly, it’s hard to argue with that sentiment. The ongoing complaints about how African athletes, in particular, are sidelined in the docuseries are becoming impossible to ignore. Africa’s fastest woman, Marie-Josee Ta Lou-Smith, voiced her disappointment back in September, slamming the producers for overlooking her despite filming her throughout the season.

Ta Lou-Smith was visibly upset. “I feel really disrespected because when you say you’re going to produce a series about the fastest sprinters in the world, you should feature everyone, not just those who win.” She pointed out that track and field is about more than just victory—it’s about the stories of perseverance, the highs and the lows. “If you want to show the real life of track and field, show everything. Don’t leave others out,” she insisted. As the African record holder, she feels she deserves the respect that’s been denied to her. But what about Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce?

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce was noticeably absent—not due to injury or a specific event, but because of her personal choice to control how her story is shared. Shelly-Ann has always been known for keeping her personal life and career somewhat private, and her decision to skip the docuseries likely stemmed from her desire to maintain that control. Instead of participating, she’s focused on creating her own personal documentary, one that will provide a more intimate, detailed look at her incredible journey.

One fan really summed it up, saying, “We need our own show, my brother… The disrespect is too much.” It’s hard not to agree. Just look at someone like Letsile Tebogo. The guy is not only proving that Africans can run the fastest in the world, but that they can dominate the sport. His story—his struggles, his achievements, and even his road to Paris—is a movie waiting to be made. When he became the first African to win Olympic gold in the 200m, running 19.46 seconds to beat Kenny Bednarek and a COVID-hit Noah Lyles, it was a moment for the ages. Not to mention, he secured Botswana’s first-ever Olympic gold. That alone is enough to fill a documentary.

What makes his story even more powerful is the personal connection he has to it. He ran with spikes bearing his mother’s birthdate—every stride was a tribute to her. Losing his mother before the Olympics was devastating for him, but it also gave him the drive to keep going. Tebogo’s journey to Paris wasn’t just about crossing the finish line; it was about overcoming personal loss, pushing through self-doubt, and ultimately, honoring his mother’s belief in him. His story is one that deserves to be told, and it’s clear that Africa should be the one telling it—showcasing the real, raw struggles and triumphs of its athletes.

One fan added, “You are damn right.” Another chimed in, “We need a new documentary for Africa and Jamaican athletes, period 😢.” And one more encouraged, “Don’t worry, soon things are gonna change, Africa will be on top of the world.” It’s clear the fans are itching for Africa to finally get the recognition it deserves, and honestly, they’re right on the money. Africa is stepping up in the sprinting world, and whether he likes it or not, Letsile Tebogo is now the face of Africa’s sprinting revolution. Winning the continent’s first-ever Olympic gold in the men’s 200m at Paris 2024 was a game-changer. His victory didn’t just put him on the map—it put Africa in the spotlight.

But Tebogo’s success didn’t happen out of thin air. The groundwork for Africa’s sprinting rise was laid decades ago by Namibia’s Frankie Fredericks, the man who’s been called the father of African sprinting. Fredericks set the bar with back-to-back Olympic silver medals in the 100m and 200m at the 1992 and 1996 Games, showing the world that Africa was no longer just a contender. That paved the way for sprinters like South Africa’s Wayde van Niekerk, who ran like the wind, setting a world record of 43.03 seconds to win the 400m gold in Rio 2016. With these pioneers leading the charge, Africa is no longer just part of the conversation—it’s leading it. The sprinting world better watch out, because Africa is almost on top now.