In the world of track and field, few names evoke as much awe and inspiration as Usain Bolt. Despite having a legacy on the track, Bolt has shown his kind heart and appreciation to the next generation of athletes. The Botswana sprinting legend, who has redefined the meaning of speed, has achieved a monumental victory, and Bolt has congratulated him. Recently, Bolt turned his attention to Letsile Tebogo, the rising star who is capturing hearts and headlines with his electrifying performances.

Usain Bolt showed the greatness of his heart by, out of nowhere, calling Tebogo personally and applauding him for winning the most reputable Athlete of the Year award. This incredible encounter, which is considered to be the handing over of the sports to a new hero, has led to the daydreaming of the athletics community to loftier heights.

A call to remember: Usain Bolt’s special gesture

Botswana sprinter Letsile Tebogo has been awarded the Men’s World Athlete of the Year by World Athletics. The award was announced earlier, but the ceremony was conducted recently. With this big achievement, Tebogo got a special gesture from Usain Bolt.

During the award ceremony, Tebogo received a video call that is worth remembering. Usain Bolt’s video called him to congratulate him, and Tebogo shared the happiness with his fans as well. Letsile Tebogo posted a story of a picture of him on a call with Bolt, with the quote, “I got a call from a special person. Thanks,” and tagged Usain Bolt.

Tebogo received this award as he became the first African Olympic champion in the 200m at the Stade de France, clocking out 19.46 seconds. He clinched Botswana’s first-ever gold at the Olympics, outpacing Noah Lyles, and finished the track in 200m on nine occasions in 2024. He also narrowly beat American athletes Kenny Bednarek and Noah Lyles. He also helped Botswana to win the 4×400 m relay at the World Athletics Relay.

While receiving the award, Tebogo said, “This means a lot. It’s not just about the team that is around you; there are a lot of fans out there that really want us to win something great for the continent.” He further added that he didn’t even expect such recognition. “It was a real surprise to hear my name because I didn’t expect this,” he stated. Tebogo won prize money of $30,000 in the Diamond League Trophy soon after the Paris Olympics. He has achieved many milestones, yet he has miles to go to get closer to Usain Bolt’s record(s).

Letsile Tebogo is reaching high milestones but is still behind Bolt

Track and field rising star Letsile Tebogo has made remarkable performances at this young age. Tebogo is celebrated for his speed, particularly in the 100m and 200m sprints. However, to reach the level of Usain Bolt, he has a long journey ahead. Bolt’s 100 m record of 9.58 seconds (2009) is still untouched, as Tebogo’s 100 m personal best is 9.86 seconds. Tebogo’s best of 19.46 seconds is way behind Bolt’s record in the 200m which is of 19.19 seconds.

Despite these differences in timings as compared to Usain Bolt, Tebogo has achieved milestones that signal immense potential. Tebogo became the first African sprinter to win a gold medal at the Olympics. He set a new national record of 10.08 seconds at the Botswana Athletic Championships in 100m in 2022, becoming the first man from Botswana to finish under 10 seconds (broke the 10-second barrier) at the Gaborone International Meet, where he clocked 9.96 seconds for the U20 record. His performances draw attention due to his speed and all the techniques he uses on the track. Sometimes, Tebogo even gets frustrated with the growing fame and feels he has lost his freedom.

The 21-year-old Botswana sprinter will take part in the World Athletics Relay 2025 alongside Noah Lyles. The relay is scheduled to be held on May 10 and 11 in Guangzhou, China. There will also be a World Athletics Ultimate Championship 2025 scheduled for September 13-21 in which Tebogo will participate. He likes to work in silence and let his speed talk. In an interview with Olympics.com, Letsile Tebogo said, “I prefer being silent and just let the legs do the talking. I’ve always been a reserved person, so athletics won’t change the person I am. So I believe silence is the way.” There is still a long way to go for Letsile Tebogo; hope he achieves all the heights he deserves.